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A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story Paperback – Illustrated, October 4, 2011
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Cherished by millions of readers, this #1 New York Times bestselling 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.
- Print length128 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level5 - 7
- Lexile measure720L
- Dimensions7.62 x 5.13 x 0.39 inches
- PublisherClarion Books
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2011
- ISBN-100547577311
- ISBN-13978-0547577319
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| More from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park. | The Newbery Medal-winning tale of an orphan boy whose dream of becoming a master potter leads to unforeseen adventure in ancient Korea. | A powerful, multilayered novel about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father’s shop, and making at least one friend. | Sun-hee and her brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea. When Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance, Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war. | This touching and suspenseful story, filled with the authentic detail and flavor of traditional Korean kite fighting, brings a remarkable setting vividly to life. | The powerful tale of a sheltered girl, endlessly curious about what lies beyond the walls of her family's Inner Court, and her daring attempts to enlarge her world. |
Editorial Reviews
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)
"[This] spare, hard-hitting novel delivers a memorable portrait of two children in Sudan. Tragic and harrowing." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Two narratives intersect in a quiet conclusion that is filled with hope." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"This powerful dual narrative packs suspense and introspection into Park's characteristic spare description; while there are lots of details offered to the reader, they come not in long, prosaic lines but in simple, detached observations. Both Salva's and Nya's stories are told with brutal, simple honesty, and they deliver remarkable perspective on the Sudanese conflict. The novel's brevity and factual basis makes the reality of life in Sudan very accessible, and readers will find both the story and the style extremely moving." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Park simply yet convincingly depicts the chaos of war and an unforgiving landscape. A heartfelt account." — Kirkus Reviews
"Brilliant. A touching narrative about strife and survival on a scale most American readers will never see." — BookPage
"Riveting." — The Horn Book
"A fast, page-turning read. A great book for high school students and an important novel for young adults who enjoy learning about other world cultures." — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
About the Author
Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner for A Single Shard and #1 New York Times bestseller for A Long Walk to Water, is the renowned author of many books for young readers, including picture books, poetry, and historical and contemporary fiction. Born in Illinois, Ms. Park has also lived in California, England, and Ireland. She now lives in Western New York. Learn more at lindasuepark.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Clarion Books; Reprint edition (October 4, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 128 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0547577311
- ISBN-13 : 978-0547577319
- Reading age : 10+ years, from customers
- Lexile measure : 720L
- Grade level : 5 - 7
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.62 x 5.13 x 0.39 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard, many other novels, several picture books, and most recently a book of poetry: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems). She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family, and is now a devoted fan of the New York Mets. For more infromation visit www.lspark.com.
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Salva's story, set in 1985, follows his journey as a "Lost Boy" escaping the violence of the Sudanese civil war. The challenges he faces and the determination he exhibits on his arduous trek to find safety and hope are both inspiring and heart-wrenching. The narrative sheds light on the struggles of those forced to flee their homes and the indomitable will to survive against all odds.
In contrast, Nya's story unfolds in 2008 and focuses on the daily challenges of fetching water for her family. Nya's life is a stark portrayal of the water crisis in Sudan and the lengths people must go to secure this basic necessity. The dual narratives provide a comprehensive view of the impact of conflict and scarcity on different lives across time.
Linda Sue Park's writing is accessible and emotionally resonant, making the book suitable for a wide range of readers, including young adults. The characters are vividly portrayed, and the alternating perspectives create a powerful narrative that keeps readers engaged.
Overall, "A Long Walk to Water" is a thought-provoking and educational novel that not only informs readers about the struggles faced by people in Sudan but also inspires compassion and empathy. It serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of access to clean water for communities worldwide.
I don't want to spoil the story but you must read it to find out how these two lives converge in the end. While technically this is a middle school book, it really is a story for everyone to read. It was unimaginable to me what these young boys had to face.
There are a lot of complex ideas for the readers to consider.
Through the themes in this book, the readers understand Salva and Nya’s struggles.
Salva is a true leader and modern hero for Sudan and the world.
Our class loved this book! 100/5 stars!!
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El libro es muy bueno
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