Definitely a novel. 'A Long Way Gone' has the elements of a novel like a developed plot, fictional characters, and a narrative structure that distinguishes it from a simple book.
It's non - fiction. Ishmael Beah, the author, actually lived through the horrors of war and being a child soldier in Sierra Leone. His account in 'A Long Way Gone' is a memoir, which means it's a true story of his journey from a normal boy to a child soldier and then his struggle to regain his humanity. There are many details in the book that can be cross - referenced with historical events and the situation in Sierra Leone during that time, which further proves its non - fictional nature.
The tone in 'A Long Way Gone' is often harrowing. The author uses a very matter - of - fact tone to describe the horrors of war and his experiences as a child soldier. This makes the atrocities seem even more real and impactful, as he doesn't overly dramatize but simply tells what happened.