I have grown up around books my whole life. I will not lie and say I was always an avid reader who spent weeks on end reading. I read an average amount outside of school as my parents always encouraged me to read. It was never the lack of books that prevented me from reading vigorously, for my mom is a teacher and own a small library in the basement. Instead I often found many books were written to only be entertaining, and I felt as if I wasn’t developing as a reader. I wanted characters that were complex, yet understandable, relatable, but different. I found this variety in several different series. The thing is I haven’t read many of the classics series like Chronicles of Narnia, or Lord of the Rings, or even the Harry Potter series. I found many of these characters to be similar and a little repetitive. Instead I read different series like Artemis Fowl, Heros of Olympus, Lorien Legacies, the Maze Runner, and Kane Chronicles. Some of the best books I have ever read has come from these series, they have helped me become a better reader and thinker. However they didn’t force me to change how I think or act. That is why I believe that the most influential book is not necessarily the best book and vica versa. A book can be the best in several different ways it can be the best in a literary sense, creative sense, imaginative sense, etc. but there can only be one most influential book. To me a book is influential when it teaches me something new, forces me to understand other viewpoints, think critically, analyze the situation and then compare my reactions to the actual characters reactions, as well as leave me wanting to know more. To me no book has fulfilled these requirements any better than They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, and Benjamin Ajak, along with Judy A. Bernstein revising. It is the true story of three Lost Boys from Sudan and their journey and fight for survival.
This books is influential to me for a couple of reasons, first when I read it last summer I was mature enough to fully comprehend the difficulties these boys had to overcome as well as they atrocities they survived. Knowing this was a completely true story that thousands of kids experienced, really connected emotionally where it is drastically different from the very sheltered and protected life I have here in DeWitt. The situations the boys were put in as 11-13 year olds were so severe that it often took me several pages for me to digest it all. They were in a constant life or death struggle at such a young age where when I was that young my biggest concerns were what if my crush doesn’t like me, or what if I get a bad grade. For the duration of the book I often would pause and think of how I would have adapted or reacted to the conditions they boys had to live in. The end result was consistently bad, I can honestly say that there were many times where I would have given up and died. This book is responsible for a change in thinking from me. After I read They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, I have actively tried to help those who are not as fortunate as I have. I have volunteered in a soup kitchen several times where I learned to connect with people on deeper levels than I can with people only from DeWitt. I have also participated in Kids Against Hunger which created meals that go to kids in the exact situations that the Deng brothers and Benjamin were survived. Had I not read this book I would not see that many of my problems would be a luxury for some, and I need to do what I can for those who have real problems and those whose life may be endangered. They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky as well as Otto, our Swedish exchange student, helped me to change my thinking from what's best for me and my family, to a more worldly thought process where I now consider if my actions are making the world a better place or not.
Like I said earlier just because it is the most influential book I have read, it is not the best I have read. The authors grew up in Sudan, so english is their second or third language so there are several grammatical/ literary mistakes. The authors are often separated which often causes there to be several plot lines/ stories that are developing at once and can be confusing, and lastly the characters don’t get fully developed because it is a true story. However, given these downfalls it has many positives like it is very descriptive, it has several intimate interactions between the boys and family they though they lost, and lastly the errors do actually help give it a sort of sincerity that otherwise would be lost. So it may not be the best book but it is still very very good.
In conclusion, I have always wanted to read the books that forced me to think and would influence me as a person. If It didn’t help me to grow I would try to avoid it. They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky has definitely given me a new and better sense of mind. After reading it I have connected with more people and and have done more to help others than at any other point in my life. Had I not read it I would have missed a great opportunity to become a better and more considerate person.
1 comment:
I wholeheartedly agree with you that an influential book is one that changes your perspective. Having lived a privileged life, poverty is not an issue I typically have to face. Because of this, my perspective is that of a sheltered teenager who has lived in DeWitt, Michigan for his entire life. When I read They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, I had a similar eye opening experience as you. While I confess that it doesn’t seem to have impacted me as much as it had you, the book has definitely made me more appreciative for my fortunate life.
Similar to you, I often tried to put myself in the shoes of the kids as they marched, starving to death. Whenever I tried however, I was unsuccessful. Having lived in such different circumstances, I could not envision myself being separated from my family and forced to live on sheer will power. Like you, I believe that I became a more respectful, considerate person as a result of reading this book. As you said, I think a book is much better for being able to make that kind of an impact rather than proper characterization or plot development.
The thing I find most fascinating about these types of stories is how positive the individuals are who went through the traumatic event. My favorite part of They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky was when they got to the United States. Despite all the suffering they went through, they were all grateful and happy instead of being bitter. I think a large part of this is many of them found peace through religion. In 2007, one of the survivors of the children’s march preached at my church. What I took away most from him and the book was that being grateful and having a positive attitude will help you to survive and get through just about any situation.
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