A Long Walk To Water

A Long Walk To Water is a novel based on a true story by Linda Sue Park.  I read this novel on the recommendation of my niece, who read it with her class at school. It is a shorter read at only 121 pages long - including the message from the main character at the end, as well as the Author's Note. (Both of which should absolutely be read!) It isn't often that I can say this, but I read this novel in one day sitting on the beach. I chose to read it again with my study hall class this year during our 10 minute read-aloud at the start of class. It was well loved by all! The novel tells the story of 2 main characters living in Sudan in 2 different times, whose stories are intertwined in the most wonderful way. Each chapter includes a piece of each character's story (unlike other novels by Gordon Korman or Alan Gratz that switch narrators each chapter) and the action moves very quickly. 

Nya is a young girl living in South Sudan in 2008. She travels to the pond each day, several miles away that takes several hours to walk there, to collect water for her family. On some days, she makes this journey twice. In the tough months when the pond dries up, her family has to relocate closer to the lake many miles away to have access to water. The water isn't clean, but it is water.  Salva is a young boy living in South Sudan in 1985 during the time of the civil war in Sudan. It is a normal day at school when the fighting of the war finds its way to Salva's village and everyone flees for safety. Salva runs into the bush and finds himself hiding, unable to go home. His village has been set on fire by the rebels and unable to know if his family is safe. He is on the run and alone, but he is determined to find safety again and be reunited with the people he loves. He hears from others fleeing from the war to go to Ethiopia, but that is a long and grueling journey for anyone, let alone a young boy without a family. But Salva is determined to find safety and his family.

A Long Walk To Water is a great pick for older readers. There are some perilous moments and some graphic descriptions, so I think this novel is best fit for middle schoolers (5th grade, at the youngest). Both the girls and guys in my study hall enjoyed this novel and the story of Nya and Salva. I love reads like this that remind us how others in the world live and how we should never take little things (like access to water) for granted. This is a novel that definitely reminds the reader of how fortunate so many are to have things like water, communication, health care, and safety. A Long Walk To Water shares a story of resilience and grit, as well as the importance of giving back to others. The novel is quick and eventful, so there is never a chapter to be bored. But this book must be read all the way to the end!