Girl Soldier - by Faith J H McDonnell & Grace Akallo (Paperback)

About the Book

On October, 9, 1996, 15-year-old Grace Akallo was asleep in her dormitory in northern Uganda when brutal Lord's Resistance Army rebels attacked and abducted 139 girls. This is Grace's account of her terrifying seven-month ordeal, along with insights from Faith McDonnell.

Book Synopsis

For several decades a brutal army of rebels has been raiding villages in northern Uganda, kidnapping children and turning them into soldiers or wives of commanders. More than 30,000 children have been abducted over the last twenty years and forced to commit unspeakable crimes.
Grace Akallo was one of these. Her story, which is the story of many Ugandan children, recounts her terrifying experience. This unforgettable book--with historical background and insights from Faith McDonnell, one of the clearest voices in the church today calling for freedom and justice--will inspire readers around the world to take notice, pray, and work to end this tragedy.

From the Back Cover

More than 30,000 children have been kidnapped in Uganda. Now one of them has a voice.

When Grace Akallo was fifteen years old, rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army raided her school. Thus began her nightmarish existence as one of northern Uganda's thousands of child soldiers. Forced to endure savagery, starvation, abuse and other horrors with only her faith to sustain her, Grace eventually escaped to share her story with the world.

Faith McDonnell is an American activist and writer with a special concern for the future of the vulnerable Acholi people of northern Uganda. In Girl Soldier, Grace's personal account and Faith's historical and spiritual insights are woven together to tell the story of Uganda's forgotten children. Be inspired by this heartfelt account and moved to do your part in making sure that these children will not be forgotten.

"A precious gift from two women, both uniquely qualified to speak for the suffering children of Uganda, one an eloquent survivor and the other a fearless advocate. It is no coincidence that their names are Grace and Faith."--Michael Card, Bible teacher and musician

"Girl Soldier is not fiction, yet that fact becomes harder to believe with every page we turn. This book is more than just a call to action. It is a challenge to our moral compass."--Adrian Bradbury, founder and director, GuluWalk

"A much-needed reminder of the suffering and faith of the people of northern Uganda. Both have gone largely unnoticed for too long."--The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh; moderator, Anglican Communion Network

"A poignant reminder that the darkness of the soul and the cruel behaviors it leads to are more devastating than we could imagine. This is an incredible account that demands a hearing and invites a response."--Steven W. Haas, vice president, World Vision International

About the Author

Faith J. H. McDonnell has worked at the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington DC since 1993. As director of the Religious Liberty Program and the Church Alliance for a New Sudan, she writes frequently and speaks widely on the subject of the persecuted church. Faith and her husband, Francis, and their daughter live in Annandale, Virginia.

Grace Akallo, the former girl soldier, has testified before the U.S. Congress, worked for World Vision in Washington DC, and had her story told on Oprah and in The Washington Post. She currently attends Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.