The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

Length: 133 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled	Audible book: Audible book Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to the Audible book with Whispersync for Voice. Add the Audible book for a reduced price of $7.49 when you buy the Kindle book. Available	Age Level: 10 - 12
Grade Level: 5 - 7

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5–9—Differentiated, African-inspired chapter introduction music assists in delivering this parallel story of two very different, but equally difficult, lives in Sudan. The story alternates between Nya, a composite character based on the lives of real girls, in 2008, and Salva, a young boy in the war-torn Sudan of 1985. Nya's life consists of the grueling and monotonous task of hauling water. All day, every day, her task is finding, acquiring, and transporting brown, dirty water to meet her family's needs. Salva's story unfolds in the midst of a horrific civil war. Separated from everything and everyone he knows, he spends more than 15 years walking across Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, living in refugee camps, and struggling to survive. His is a true story based on the experiences of one of the "lost boys of Sudan." An echo effect is used to highlight the nagging questions that are always in the forefront of Salva's mind, "When will I see my family again?" and "What will become of me?" Readers David Baker and Cynthia Bishop worked with a dialect coach to ensure authenticity in pronunciation and accents. An update on Salva's ongoing project follows the story. Listeners will not ever leave the tap water running without thinking of this powerful story.—Lisa Taylor, Ocean County Library, NJ

About the Author

<DIV> <DIV>Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard, many other novels, and several picture books. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family. </DIV></DIV>

Review

"There have been several books about the lost boys of Sudan for adults, teens, and even for elementary-school readers. But [this] spare, immediate account, based on a true story, adds a stirring contemporary dimension. . . . Young readers will be stunned by the triumphant climax." Booklist, starred review

--Booklist

Book Description

Hardcover edition:
$16.00 CL
978-0-547-25127-1

From Booklist

*Starred Review* After 11-year-old Salva’s school in Sudan is attacked by brutal rebel soldiers in 1985, he describes several terrifying years on the run in visceral detail: “The rain, the mad current, the bullets, the crocodiles, the welter of arms and legs, the screams, the blood.” Finally, he makes it to refugee camps in Ethiopia and then Kenya, where he is one of 3,000 young men chosen to go to America. After he is adopted by a family in Rochester, New York, he is reunited with the Sudanese family that he left behind. There have been several books about the lost boys of Sudan for adults, teens, and even for elementary-school readers. But Newbery Award–winning Park’s spare, immediate account, based on a true story, adds a stirring contemporary dimension. In chapters that alternate with Salva’s story, Nya, a young Sudanese girl in 2008, talks about daily life, in which she walks eight hours to fetch water for her family. Then, a miracle happens: Salva returns home to help his people and builds a well, making fresh water available for the community and freeing Nya to go to school. The switching viewpoints may initially disorient some, but young readers will be stunned by the triumphant climax of the former refugee who makes a difference with the necessities that we all take for granted. Teachers may want to point out the allusion to Nelson Mandela’s A Long Walk to Freedom (1995) echoed in this moving book’s title. Grades 6-9. --Hazel Rochman

From the Author

"Meeting Salva was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. His story is both horrifying and uplifting, a testament to the strength of the human spirit against the worst adversities, and the generousity in people's hearts when we're at our best. I wrote this book because I want young readers to know that there are people like Salva in this world, to admire and mybe even to emulate however we can." (Linda Sue Park )

File Size: 6184 KB
Print Length: 133 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books; Reprint edition (November 15, 2010)
Publication Date: November 15, 2010
Sold by: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Language: English
ASIN: B004GB1T8G
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:

Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #1 in Children's African Historical Fiction
- #1 in Children's Explore Africa Fiction
- #2 in Children's African History Fiction

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Review By a Nine Year Old Who Loves Books:

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2017

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In 2008 Nya has to walk a super long distance to get water for her family. Salva who is a refugee during the 1985 war has to make a long journey to find safety. Life is hard for them both in Sudan. The stories are 25 years apart but the book talks about how their stories intersect. It is good for grades 3+,age 8+ and family and also people who like historical fiction.It is also good to learn about the importance of water. It saves lives,helps people, and brings us together by giving water to help them to lead a good life. I recommend this book because it has good examples of leadership. It is so different than any other book I have read. It is the kind of book that sucks you in then you slow down to savor it.

137 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

This was a beautiful story of hard work and determination and perseverance in ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2017

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This was a beautiful story of hard work and determination and perseverance in the face of evil and overwhelming adversity and hardships. I have not read a book in a very long time that motivated me to care deeply about global issues, but this book stirred in me a desire to help others.
At the beginning of the book, it was a bit confusing trying to understand how the two stories connected. But by the end of the book, the way that the author weaves the two stories of Nya and Salva together is incredibly powerful and moving.
The author writes beautifully, using vivid imagery and robust descriptions that make the characters and situations easy to relate to even though most of us have never had to experience such hardships. The author was careful not to be too graphic in his storytelling which helps to make this story accessible to both younger and older readers.
This story teaches lessons of compassion and perseverance and courage. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It provides an incredible perspective on the definition of a hard life and is an inspirational read.

96 people found this helpful

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D. Spharler

Great Exposure for 10 Year Olds

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2017

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My grandson read the book then told his mom and me about it; asked us to read it. Very seldom does he do that but this touched him enough to cause him to speak up about it. The story was simple and presented the hardships encounted around such a basic human need - water. By also lightly describing the impact of war and other dangers in the area, a child would be exposed to this information. Questions are raised that allow parent-child interaction and help to teach our children to be socially aware and that you can have an impact on the lives of others as Salva Dut did/does. A simple well to supply water for lives and the social, educational, and economical changes that result when there is access to a good, clean, abundant supply. Excellent.

62 people found this helpful

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Kevin Lewis

Great read aloud family book

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017

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I read this aloud to my Chinese born, American raised kids and amidst the grumbling over "Mom's teaching us again", came a sudden moment of silence, and then "Mom, please read, ". And then the conversations started. This is a beautifully told story, at times horrifying sad, but it's one that our privileged American tweens need to hear. The parallel story lines are fascinating, and the understanding of tribal cultures and each child's place in their tribe are fascinating. We will pay it forward by donating to Salva's nonprofit organization. What an amazing accomplishment. Thank you.

62 people found this helpful

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Nicole

My son really enjoys this book

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019

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My son is going into 6th grade. We received a packet over the summer from his new school. He had to choose a book out of the list, read it and do a book report on it. He choose this book, it has 122 pages total.
He’s not big on reading but really likes this book. He’s not yet finished but he likes reading about these two young people’s lives that are mentioned in this book.

29 people found this helpful

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Honest Reviews

Must Be An Excellent Book

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2016

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This was for my 7th grade son was assigned to read in school. This was the first book my son had ever finished, talked about and even read note than he was assigned to do. My son is dyslexic which makes reading a book laborious or even impossible. I bought the feature that reads it to him which he loved and made it more interesting since they had music and the reader used different voices for each character. It also highlighted the words as it read and for words that are hard it give the definition. Amazing it opens up a whole new world for struggling readers.

161 people found this helpful

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Jen Kelley

A beautiful story told in a beautiful way.

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2014

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I decided to read this book after I finished reading another book written by Linda Park (See Saw Girl). As a 5th grade reading teacher, I sometimes struggle with my recommendations for interesting historical fiction/non-fiction selections - most especially when recommending to my students who typically aren't interested in those two genres.

I found See Saw girl to be a very quick read with "friendly" writing for those who just aren't into history. It'll be my book to "hook" them into the genre. A Long Walk to Water, in my personal opinion, would be the next step up for these students because of the way in which the author chose to write the story.

The story is told in first-person narrative by two different characters AND the story takes place during two different periods of time in Sudan. The two stories flip back and forth with each chapter. Never did I find the two stories confusing or difficult to keep up with.

SALVA is a Sudan boy who, when gunfire breaks out while he's at school, is forced to go on the run due to the civil war - leaving his family behind. The story focuses on the heart wrenching details of his journey.

Nya is a young girl whose story takes place several years after that of Salva. Also a child living in Sudan, Nya's job is to make a very long, daily (sometimes more than once) journey to fetch water for their family.

All the time I was reading, I knew that at some point Salva and Nya's lives and/or story would intersect. And, in the end, it did! But it wasn't until the very end was I able to figure out how their life story would intersect.

Although the challenges these two characters face will pull at your heart strings, the author has put in just enough detail without being too graphic for young readers.

This is a beautiful story that definitely deserves its place on my classroom bookshelf. I cannot wait to share it with all my students. And, I'm anxious to read another book by Linda Park.

76 people found this helpful

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Top international reviews

Alex DAnna

The Best Book we as a family read this year! Have to skip a couple scary parts for the younger ones

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2019

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This book is a winner! We've searched high and low for something modern and environmental/social and this fit the bill.

We read it over a couple weeks and we as a family couldn't wait each night to read it and were emotional at many points along the way.

Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

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Gypsy Barlow

Beautifully written poignant short story for children

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2015

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Great for age 9-99! Especially poignant with regard to the present refugee crisis this book is a one day compelling read for children (although worth it for adults to read too when the children have finished).

5 people found this helpful

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Jenna

Must read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2018

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This story is incredibly moving and very well written. Based on a true story I have such admiration for Salva: the courage and determination in the face of such horror is remarkable.

One person found this helpful

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JJ Hurley

A beautiful and moving story - it opens your eyes to ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2016

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A beautiful and moving story - it opens your eyes to the extremes and hardships that some children go through just because of where they are born.

2 people found this helpful

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Beanisss

Not finished to book yet but a good book for young adults up to the age of ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2016

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Not finished to book yet but a good book for young adults up to the age of 14 as a basis for discussion on different lives. Those, who are not so fortunate.

One person found this helpful

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Elyna

Thanks

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2019

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Gift

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Mr. C

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2017

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Excellent book. Didn’t think I would enjoy it so much

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iblack

Great story of life

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2016

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Moving true story. Would recommend for adults and children. My 10 year old enjoyed it.

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Helen Noone

Good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2019

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It was amazing i loved im also reading it in school btw im Helen's Son Its a cool book
:)

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Cal D

Inspiring story for boys

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2013

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I am finding it really hard to find stories specifically aimed to inspire boys. This true story is wonderful and both my 8 and 10 year old are enjoying it.

5 people found this helpful

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Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2016

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Very informative and a good read

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Wendy

excellent condition

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2015

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Excellent thanks

One person found this helpful

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Mrs Wendy Robinson

Great story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2017

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Loved this story. Great to listen to in the car.

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Amazon Customer

Great book for initiating serious discussions with children

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2015

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Great book for initiating serious discussions with children.

One person found this helpful

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sreejith

A great read!

Reviewed in India on December 2, 2016

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(I had bought this book for my 10year old son. Below is the review written by him):

"A long walk to water gives readers a closer look on how life is in the poorer countries. It tells the stories of two different children in different parts of Sudan: Salva and Nya.

Salva is a Sudanese boy who, when gunfire breaks out while he's at school, is forced to go on the run due to the civil war - leaving his family behind. The story focuses on the heart wrenching details of his journey.

Nya is a young girl whose story takes place several years after that of Salva. Also a child living in Sudan. Nya's job is to make very long journeys to fetch water for their family

They face many hardships but always overcome them in some way. it shows us about the true life of the refugees and orphans. It is well written and captivates the reader through the various emotions of the characters.

Highly recommended to both adults and children"

6 people found this helpful

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