As a parent, I've spent a lot of time protecting my childrens' innocence about the world. We've been blessed beyond belief to live in a first world country, in a safe community, where our needs our met, where my kids have been able to be kids. Sure, they're aware of "the needy", we sponsor a child through World Vision, and they've learned about Haiti and Rwanda through some mission programs at our church. But they don't really know the details of the suffering. My older child has now reached an age where some of that protection needs to be turned to education. "A Long Walk to Water" is an excellent novel to do just that.

"A Long Walk to Water" has two parallel story lines. The first, which starts in 1985, focuses on Salva, who becomes one of the Lost Boys of Sudan when his village is attacked in the middle of the school day and he must flee for safety -- a heartbreaking journey which takes years and spans countries and continents.

The second story line starts in 2008 and focuses on Nya, a Sudanese girl whose sole activity in life is to walk miles to and from a watering hole each day to collect dirty water (the only available kind) for her family.

The book is written for middle grade readers, so adults may find it lacking in depth and predictable. However, I think it hits the sweet spot for its intended audience. Middle grade readers will find suspense, action, and a sense of empathy for the characters in both of the story lines. My daughter was compelled to find out more about both the Lost Boys as well as access to clean water -- and I doubt she is alone. The book has given us an opportunity to discuss not only history and geography, but also better helps her understand the current Syrian refugee crisis. I highly recommend this for middle grade readers. ( )

Based on the book's blurb and my interest in learning more about the Lost Boys of the Sudan, I had added the audio version of A Long Walk to Water to my wishlist over a year ago. Although the narrative is written for a younger audience, I quickly realized how woefully inadequate my knowledge is of the cultural history for this region.

The story is told through a partially fictionalized dual narrative, one based on the true story of a boy named Salva who is uprooted from his home and family in 1985 due to civil war. He goes through a harrowing journal of survival across the Akobo Desert . The second story is set during 2008 and describes the hardships a girl named Nya faces, as she spends most of her day making the arduous journey to collect water for her family.

The story is beautifully written, though there are some gruesome scenes which are integral to the story. Beyond the despair and sadness, there is also a focus on the power of hope and determination. The audio version is well produced with two narrators and the occasional use of sound effects or music, to mark the end of a chapter.

“One step at a time, one day at a time, just today, just this day to get through,” Salva would say. Perhaps these are words everyone can relate to on a basic level, given the extremely troubling and distressing times we are currently living though.

Interview with author Linda Sue Park and Salva Dut:
https://youtu.be/GkxkisRUmMM ( )

A great read, set in Sudan, aimed at young adult readers, inspiring and full of hope. Loved it! ( )

Salva Dut is 11 years old when war raging in the Sudan separates him from his family. To avoid the conflict, he walks for years with other refugees, seeking sanctuary and scarce food and water. Park simply yet convincingly depicts the chaos of war and an unforgiving landscape as they expose Salva to cruelties both natural and man-made. The lessons Salva remembers from his family keep him from despair during harsh times in refugee camps and enable him, as a young man, to begin a new life in America. As Salva’s story unfolds, readers also learn about another Sudanese youth, Nya, and how these two stories connect contributes to the satisfying conclusion. This story is told as fiction, but it is based on real-life experiences of one of the “Lost Boys” of the Sudan. Salva and Nya’s compelling voices lift their narrative out of the “issue” of the Sudanese War, and only occasionally does the explanation of necessary context intrude in the storytelling. Salva’s heroism and the truth that water is a source of both conflict and reconciliation receive equal, crystal-clear emphasis in this heartfelt account. (Fiction. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review

My 12 year old son gives this his highest recommendation. “I really like historical fiction and learning about other places, and stories of people trying to survive, and this has both and is really good!” ( )