Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (CitizenKid) [Hardcover]

Herb Shoveller (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: CitizenKid

It costs a lot of money to build a well in Africa -- a lot more than Ryan Hreljac had thought. Still, the six year old kept doing chores around his parents' house, even after he learned it could take him years to earn enough money. Then a friend of the family wrote an article in the local newspaper about Ryan's wish to build a well to supply people with safe, clean water. Before long, ripples of goodwill began spreading. People started sending money to help pay for Ryan's well. Ryan was interviewed on television. His dream of a well became an international news story. In Agweo, Uganda, villagers were used to walking a long way every day in search of water. What they found was often brown and smelly and made a lot of people sick. But when Ryan's well was built, life in the village changed for the better. A young orphan named Akana Jimmy longed for a chance to thank Ryan in person for this gift of life -- clean water. When they finally meet, an unbreakable bond unites these boys from very different backgrounds, and a long and sometimes life-threatening journey begins. Ryan and Jimmy is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–When Ryan Hreljac's first-grade teacher told his class about countries where people did not have access to clean drinking water, the boy became determined to change things. This account follows his efforts from what began as one child committed to building one well, and grew over several years into an international network of fundraising, educating, and well-drilling that extended far beyond anyone's expectations. Ryan's endeavors also brought him into contact with Akana Jimmy, a youngster from Agweo Village, Uganda, the location of the first well. In 2000, Ryan went to Uganda, and the two boys met for the first time. Through their friendship and correspondence, readers will gain insight into a world in which children face unimaginable hardships. In the fall of 2002, rebel forces abducted Jimmy, and though he escaped, his life was placed in great danger. The narrative then details the Hreljacs' laborious but successful efforts to bring him to Canada. Clearly written and illustrated with full-color family photographs set against colorful backgrounds, this story is both personal and representative of the many people living in developing countries, the individuals working against all odds to help them, and the power of young people to make a difference. A great choice for booktalking or small-group sharing and discussion, with many possible connections, from social and economic to geographic and political.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA
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Review

A truly inspirational story, this book can effectively teach about problems and solutions.

Ryan and Jimmy is a true story of friendship and compassion in which a simple wish to help others brings focus to the necessities that unite us all.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553379675
• ISBN-13: 978-1553379676
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed resource for a shrinking planet, February 27, 2007

By 

Hannah Fowler - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (CitizenKid) (Hardcover)

The story begins with a teacher telling her classroom of young children about the plight of children in Africa who are without clean drinking water. A boy saves up money from household chores to help. But the book is far more than just a story about bringing a well to an African village. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep everyone on the edge of their seat. Not only do Ugandan children drink unclean/unsafe water, but their very lives are at stake because of roving bands of kidnapped children who were forced to become soldiers. A thoroughly engrossing book suitable for classroom read-aloud time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Action, May 29, 2007

By 

Deborah Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (CitizenKid) (Hardcover)

Every person - child or adult - should read this book. Ryan is the perfect example of someone who saw a need and took action. As a teacher at an International Baccalaureate - Primary Years Programme, this book stands side-by-side with the profiles and attitudes of a reflective learner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story!, August 10, 2011

By 

Sarah1989 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (CitizenKid) (Hardcover)

I truly enjoyed this book! It is a good point that it has two main plots--Canadian Ryan starting a project to obtain clean water for kids in Africa and the other, Ugandan Jimmy, who is trying to flee the forced conscription of child soldiers in the civil war in Uganda. Although the information is presented in a less than frightening fashion, I still thought it was too scary for my 7 yo niece. However, I can't wait until she is old enough to share the story with her.