Book details
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
Description
Cherished by millions of readers, this #1 New York Times best-selling novel is a powerful tale of perseverance and hope. Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park interweaves the stories of two Sudanese children who overcome mortal dangers to improve their lives and the lives of others.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. Includes an afterword by author Linda Sue Park and the real-life Salva Dut, on whom the novel is based, and who went on to found Water for South Sudan.
Age
10-13
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
128 pages
Why to read
- A Long Walk to Water provides readers with insight into the history and culture of Sudan, as well as the ongoing water crisis affecting many parts of the world. It's an excellent resource for learning about the impact of civil war on civilians, the plight of refugees, and the importance of access to clean water.
- Linda Sue Park skillfully weaves together two narratives—one of Salva Dut in the past and the other of a young girl named Nya in contemporary Sudan—creating an engaging and compelling read that keeps readers invested in the characters and their outcomes.
- The book tells the true story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese Lost Boy, who overcame incredible hardships and challenges as he fled from war-torn Sudan to seek safety. His journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination, providing readers with a powerful example of how one can triumph over adversity.
- Throughout the book, themes of hope, perseverance, and survival are prominent. It serves as an uplifting story that encourages readers to believe in the possibility of change and the impact one person can make in the world.