Out of War: True Stories from the Front Lines of the Children's Movement for Peace in Columbia

by Sara Cameron, UNICEF

When writer Sara Cameron went on assignment to Colombia to write a UNICEF report about the Children's Movement for Peace to submit to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, she was "I didn't believe that children could do anything substantial to help peace." But she was soon convinced by the sincere teen leaders of the movement who had been through hell and lived to tell about it. Colombia is a country that has been torn apart by guerilla warfare, illegal drug trade, and gang violence for more than 40 years. In the late 1990s, guided by civic and religious leaders, the children and teens of Colombia decided to try and do what the adults of their country could make peace. Besides writing her report for UNICEF, Cameron collected these first-person accounts of nine young leaders of the movement, all of whose lives have been tainted by violence. Heartbreaking examples include 18-year-old Juan Elias, whose father was murdered right in his own office, and 16-year-old Mayerly, whose best friend was stabbed to death in a gang war. Still, these young leaders--despite threats by armed gangs and extreme poverty--organize peace rallies, speak publicly at schools, and lead workshops for other displaced or abused children. Sad, but ultimately triumphant, these stories will both inspire and shame the teens of First World nations who read them--shame them by showing how much of their lives they take for granted, and inspire them to do more with the resources and relationships they have been blessed with. The book includes an author's note and a list of resources to learn more about the Children's Movement for Peace. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

Genres: Nonfiction, War

Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Franco Bonelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book really mentions a strong point of view from the people that we're in the war and how much problems and fears it caused. I recommend this book to others because the stories of each one of the boys show different perspectives and also how much it impacted their life. Very interesting and It's a really well done book

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit be so personally, but I have never visited Colombia. The fact that each of the nine teenagers who submit chapters for this book have chosen to work for peace, when all is violence and war around them, hits me so strongly. If you wonder what's the big deal with a peace treaty in Colombia, read this book... and know that it was written in 2001. (Review written in 2017.)

[Melvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book it talks so far about how a group of kids are working to help there country return peace

[18loeraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of War
The book Out of War written by Sara Cameron and is about nine people that talk about their experiences in the peace movement in Colombia. The peace movement started in August 27, 1995. Each of them live either in Apartado, or Bogota, or Aguachica. These are the characters that I will be speaking about: Juan Elias, Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir. This book I would recommend to those who would like to know what it feels like to be in a peace movement in their own country or state. This was an interesting book for me. At first I thought it was about war, like shooting and blood, but when I read the book I found out that it was about a peace movement and that is hard to get peace in your country. I would do the same if that was my country that was not in peace with everyone. There were times when Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir were outside and there was violence going on and would have to be careful not to get in it. Farlis was high on a drug, went outside and had a gun that wasn’t loaded and hid behind a car. She didn’t hide all of her body. She was shot on her leg and didn’t feel it, went back inside and her mom was mad at her for going outside. Now that we know the theme of the book, what do you suggest that will happen with Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir, would they stay in the peace movement or go do something else to help out their country? Juan Elias lost his dad because his dad was at work with his cousin and out of no where people with guns come and start shooting . Each of them saw things going on inside or outside of their house like Juan Elias. I can relate their life between our present life because in our time there was already peace and a lot more people helping, whereas their time there was no peace which created the peace movement.
The book Out of War written by Sara Cameron is about nine people that talk about their experiences in the peace movement in Colombia. The peace movement started in August 27, 1995. Each of them live either in Apartado, or Bogota, or Aguachica. These are the characters that I will be speaking about Juan Elias, Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir. This book I would recommend to those who would like to know what it feels like to be in a peace movement in their own country or state. This was an interesting book for me at first I thought it was a war like shooting and blood, but when I read the book I found out that it was about a peace movement that is hard to get peace in your country. I would do the same if that was my country that was not in peace with everyone. There were times when Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir were outside and there was violence going on and would have to be careful not to get in it. Farlis was high on a drug, went outside and had a gun that wasn’t loaded and hid behind a car. She didn’t hide all of her body. She was shot on her leg and didn’t feel it, went back inside and her mom was mad at her for going out side. Now that we know the theme of the book what do you suggest that will happen with Farlis, Mayerly, Beto, Maritza, Alberto, Wilfrido, Herminsul, and Johemir, would they stay in the peace movement or go do something else to help out their country? Juan Elias lost his dad because his dad was at work with his cousin and out of no where people with guns come and start shooting . Each of them saw things going on inside or outside of their house like Juan Elias. I can relate their life between our present life because in our time there was already peace and a lot more people helping, whereas their time there was no peace which created the peace movement.

[Cesar Granillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of war: True Stories from the Front Lines on the Children’s Movement for Peace in Colombia is a book written by Sara Cameron. This book theme is the war that took in Colombia between guerillas and the national government. It focuses on the lives of 9 teenagers/kids and how the war affects their lives. The author’s purpose in writing this nonfiction book is to inform the reader about the struggles that these young people had to endure. All of them are part of the Children’s Movement for Peace in Colombia; they were nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. Even though it focuses on the lives of 9 specific people the book tells informs the audience that there are millions of children around the world who have to endure similar circumstances.
Those children around the globe are in the millions and “The difference for these and the thousands of other young Colombians is that they refused to become a part of the violence themselves” (Cameron 1). These kids have to cope with tough situations that come along with war like assassination, massacres, and gang warfare in their own backyards. The impact that this book had on me was to enjoy my life more and to know that there are others around the world that have it worse than me. This book has taught me to be more pacifist and honest. This book was thought-provoking it made me wonder why the world is how it is. It has made me want to change the world into one without hate because with hate comes disobedience, violence, war, and jealousy. In my opinion hate is the root of all wrong doings in world and is what enables us to do bad deeds like witchcraft and homicide.
This book is a well written one I didn’t see any grammatical errors or anything of that nature. Juan Elias is the first character in the book he lives in Aguachica “For many years, people in Aguachica managed to stay out of the war” (Cameron 6). In my opinion the greatest strength of this book is that is based on real people and their life events. With saying that what I believe to be the weakness is that it talks about too many people, I would prefer if it would tell the stories of fewer people but in greater detail. This book has become one of my favorites that I have read to this date, I would defiantly recommend it to a friend or colleague. I would recommend this book because I enjoyed it so much and it’s one of those books that has a lasting impact on you; the book made me think a lot for example why can’t we all get along, why can’t we live peacefully, and why can’t us humans help one another.

[WhizKid · Rating 1 out of 5]

true stories from 9 children who lived with violence in Colombia (printed in 2001) and have chosen to work for peace. they did not let their past dictate who they are

In conjunction with UNICEF. Children's Movement for Peace in Colombia (nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, 1998)

sapo: "toad"; tattletale
guerrillero: "a left-wing armed group member"
mi profesor de alma; the teacher of my soul
yermis: tag game where chaser tries to hit the others with a ball

"sometimes you must appear to be red even though you are green but no matter what you must always stay true to the essence of the creature that you really are"

"a prayer takes me to a special place that i think no one understands unless they have been there. it is a place where i stand with god. afterwards no matter how terrible i have been feeling, i feel much stronger and at peace

"how can I cope? my home is my home and i have family and friends that I love very much. The people we meet on the way are what really matters"

"I learned to hold back, to make way for what they were trying to say, and to accept my role as that of an amplifier."

"some of the kids find it easier to talk to a puppet than they do to a real person"

"overcoming the hard knocks, that is what makes you fall in love with life"

After reading this book, these themes were apparent to me.
Resiliency of humans. Children voices are powerful if channeled the right way. War and poverty stricken communities in Colombia made me wonder how much progress they had made since then and am i ready for it, and whether do i have what it takes to contribute positively

[Victoria Becker]

Out of War: True Stories from the Frontlines of the Children's Movement for Peace in Columbia is a lexile level 910 which translates to a reading level of T. In my 5th grade classroom the target reading level is T, U and V at the end of the year.I teach in an inclusion classroom so some of my students come in reading below grade level. For this reason this book might be to difficult for them so we would read it in guided reading groups. I also think it would be valuable to read in guided reading groups because of the sensitive content. My students need to understand that the stories are true and happened to the children telling them. These "peace children" that wrote the book in partnership with UNICEF have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. This can lead to a discussion about what is the Nobel Peace Prize and how are people nominated for this award? Also my students can make a text to world connection, these are children just like them, how are their lives different? It is an informational text.
NYS Standard Students will: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike many books I have read on Colombia, this book is written from children's perspective. While it does not give indepth reports on the causes of violence and poverty or the corruption in the country, it does humanize the conflict beyond what you would see or read in the news. The book is inspiring as it describes how many children, born and raised into violence, are instead working for peace. In their work they are inspiring adults both in Colombia and abroad to stop the cycle of war. Perhaps what is sweetest about the book is that the children describe their lives, trials and triumphs, with a refreshing honesty and energy. They are convinced that they will be the generation to achieve peace.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection of memoirs, nine Colombian teens between the ages of fifteen and eighteen recount their experiences growing up amidst violence and their concentrated efforts to bring peace to their country and people. The Children’s Movement for Peace includes anyone under the age of 18 who is working to bring peace to Colombia, whether a part of the organized movement or not. At the time of publication, the movement had been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
• No language issues
• Rape, teenage pregnancy, drug use, and a few violent images are all discussed
• Will raise awareness in a reader of other peoples’ problems
• Readers can make the connection between drug use in the U.S. and the violence in Colombia

[Amanda Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too repetitive for me. It is a great story, but I felt like after the first few stories I already knew the rest of it. Very interesting topic though, and I had a friend in college whose adult brother was kidnapped in Columbia during this time, so it was an easy way to gain a strong understanding of a section of history that I was previously pretty unfamiliar with.

[Mr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenagers telling their own stories about growing up during the ongoing war in Colombia. Great book about real teenagers overcoming war and other incredible challenges and difficulties to not only improve their own lives, but to make their communities stronger and to change the world.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of nine stories about the Civil War in Colombia. These kids have lost their homes, families, schools and security. The children are all members of The Children's Movement for Peace. I was touched by the stories that they told.

[Ceh131973 · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Out of War] by [Sara Cameron] is the story of the Children's Movement for Peace in Columbia. It is a non fiction book written for lower readers. The high interest of the topic, especially to many ELL students, will be a help but the way the stories are told is dull and could be written better.

[Joey]

good book. i like it. i would tell people to read it

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very glad I wasn't born in Colombia!!! Can't imagine that it has gotten any better there since this book was written. :(