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Songs of a War Boy
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
10 posts | 4 read | 29 to read
The true story of Deng Adut - Sudanese child soldier, refugee, man of hope Deng Adut's family were farmers in South Sudan when a brutal civil war altered his life forever. At six years old, his mother was told she had to give him up to fight. At the age most Australian children are starting school , Deng was conscripted into the Sudan People's Liberation Army. He began a harsh, relentless military training that saw this young boy trained to use an AK-47 and sent into battle. He lost the right to be a child. He lost the right to learn. The things Deng saw over those years will stay with him forever. He suffered from cholera, malaria and numerous other debilitating illnesses but still he had to fight. A child soldier is expected to kill or be killed and Deng almost died a number of times. He survived being shot in the back. The desperation and loneliness was overwhelming. He thought he was all alone. But Deng was rescued from war by his brother John. Hidden in the back of a truck, he was smuggled out of Sudan and into Kenya. Here he lived in refugee camps until he was befriended by an Australian couple. With their help and the support of the UN, Deng Adut came to Australia as a refugee. Despite physical injuries and mental trauma he grabbed the chance to make a new life. He worked in a local service station and learnt English watching The Wiggles. He taught himself to read and started studying at TAFE. In 2005 he enrolled in a Bachelor of Law at Western Sydney University. He became the first person in his family to graduate from university. This is an inspiring story of a man who has overcome deadly adversity to become a lawyer and committed worker for the disenfranchised, helping refugees in Western Sydney. It is an important reminder of the power of compassion and the benefit to us all when we open our doors and our hearts to fleeing war, persecution and trauma.
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Missusb
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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This is the teen edition of Deng‘s powerful story. I hope I can get through. Tearing up already and I‘m only in chapter one. Deep breaths. Gah! Our despairing world 🌎 #currentlyreading #preview #augustrso2019

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TheWellAccompaniedBook
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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Pickpick

5 stars definitely. Could not put it down. Horrific and inspiring.

McFarchie Loved this. 6y
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TheWellAccompaniedBook
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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Reading while hanging out with the bunnies.

Dragon Bunnies 🐰💕 6y
36 likes1 comment
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TheWellAccompaniedBook
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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In PJs with book, blanket and hot chocolate. All is well with my world. It‘s a damn good book too. Horrible story (child soldiers in Sudan) but important to know. Anyway, back to it. Night Littens!

MrsMalaprop I bought this for my 15yo thinking he'd find it interesting, but he won't read it for some reason. I'll be interested to your review. 6y
TheWellAccompaniedBook @MrsMalaprop I loved it. It‘s very easy to read and the story is gripping. Some description of horrible horrible things, but it doesn‘t dwell on those. It was worth the reading hangover I had today :-) 6y
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McFarchie
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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Pickpick

This book was wonderful. It is an emotional rollercoaster of heartbreak and rising above the odds. WAR. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Deng's story is worthy of every one of the 5 stars I'm giving it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🇦🇺🇸🇸

Cinfhen I find these type of books/ memoirs so empowering and inspiring. 7y
Laura317 It sounds powerful! I have a very hard time reading/seeing violence toward children, though. I'd like to try this though. 7y
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McFarchie
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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🇦🇺🇸🇸👍🏽

Loretta 🇦🇺 Australian pies are the best. Yum 👅 7y
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McFarchie
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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Holy shit, this is a compelling story 🇦🇺🇸🇸

93 likes6 stack adds
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McFarchie
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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20% in, and wow!

106 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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McFarchie
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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So excited to be starting this on audio ❤

MrsMalaprop Bought the book for my teenager for Christmas, but can't get him interested in it for some reason. Be interested to see your review. 7y
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LiaMahony
Songs of a War Boy | Deng Thiak Adut, Ben Mckelvey
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Pickpick

Unintentionally my third book set in Africa this month. This time from an Australian experience. A harrowing tale of boy soldiers from South Sudan. Redemption at the end. Deng Thiak Adut recently one NSW Australian of the year. Such a worthy recipient. From boy soldier to human rights lawyer. Read this book. #non-fiction #Australian

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