Ishmael Beah
Narrator of the story
Junior
Ishmael's older brother
Musa
A Mende boy who was in Mattru Jong when the rebels attacked
Alhaji
A Temne boy who was at the river when the rebels attacked his village
Kanei
A Mende boy who escaped the rebels with his parents
Jumah
A Mende boy whose house was destroyed by an RPG during the RUF attack on his village. 1/6
Moriba
A Mende boy whose house was destroyed by an RPG during the RUF attack on his village. 1/6
Saidu
A Temne boy whose family way unable to leave village during rebel attack. 1/6
Lieutenant Jabati
Ishmael's commanding officer
Corporal Gadafi
The officer in charge of training the boy soldiers under Lieutenant Jabati
Uncle Tommy
A relative of Beah's father. End up taking Ishmael in for a little
Esther
Ishmael's nurse at the UNICEF compound
Gibrilla
One of the boys who accompanied Beah and Junior when they left Mattru Jong
Talloi
With Junior and Beah when they initially go to Mattru Jong to practice with their dance group. 1/6
Khalilou
They all stay at this persons house after the attack in their village
Mohamed
Beah's best friend before the war
Sheku
A tent-mate of Beah at the army-occupied village
Josiah
A tent-mate of Beah's when he becomes a soldier
Gasemu
Recognizes Beah from Mattru Jong
Mr.Kamara
The head of Benin Home who encouraged Beah to publicly speak
Leslie
A kind worker at the Benin Home