Long Walk to Water: International Bestseller Based on a True Story

By Linda Sue Park

A gripping tale of conflict and survival that has inspired millions of young readers and adults alike, with three million copies sold worldwide

Eleven-year-old Salva is forced to flee on foot when his village comes under attack. Braving every imaginable hardship – including killer lions and hungry crocodiles – he is one of the 'lost boys' travelling the African continent on foot in search of his family and a safe place to stay.

Nya goes to the pond two times a day to fetch water. It takes her eight hours. But there is unexpected hope, as these two stories set in Sudan – one unfolding in 2008 and one in 1985 – go on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rock the Boat
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781786074638

Linda Sue Park

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.

Reviews for Long Walk to Water

[addunn3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A boy describes his experience walking through central Africa in search of safety.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was okay, but not a riveting read. While Nya's story only covered a couple of years, Salva's spanned over twenty and, being such a short novel, his story felt rushed and shallow. I liked how the two characters' paths intersected at the end, but for me the book lacked emotional depth and the story fell flat. Overall, disappointing.

[amrahmn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the 2 interwoven stories of Nya, a Nuer girl and her daily 8 hour quest for water and that of the "lost boy", Salva as his story of fleeing his Dinka village in South Sudan. Salva's story is more detailed and thus, more compelling. I felt the fear and loss as Salva traveled east to the first refugee camp and then a few years later as he traveled to the second before finally coming to the US. I really enjoyed the linking of the two stories and the fact that Nya and Salva were from different tribes. I would use this book for study of "Lost Boys", refugees, and the importance of clean water everywhere in the world.

[tpollack-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book is not really a good crossover to the adult fiction world. It's written in fairly basic language. That's not to discount the serious themes; the book is simply, well, simple.

[kimkimpton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book for middle school- maybe even older elementary students if they are mature. There is no objectionable language and the violence is not at all graphic. Yet, it is a heartwarming true story that comes together nicely in the end. Warning...you will want to donate money to Water for South Sudan when you are done reading this.

[sabrar-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this novel there are two stories happening at the same time. The first story takes place in southern Sudan in 2008-2009 and is about an eleven years old girl named Nya who takes a long to water to get water for her family. The main story takes place from 1985-2007 and is about a boy named Salva Dut. One day when Salva was at school a war brock lose and there was shooting that was happening in the village. Salva teachers told all the students to run to the bush and don't look back. Salve did as he was told but also wanted to find his family. He got pushed with a big group of a people and just kept running. That night the groups stays the nigh in an old barn but when he wakes up everyone is gone. They had left without Salva because he was a child and they didn't want him to slow them down. Salva meets a older women that he calls Auntie but soon another group arrives and she make arrangements for him to travel with that group. Along the way more people join the groups and after being with the group for a couple of weeks Salva realized his uncle Jewiir was there. Salva was so delighted to see a familiar face and his uncle made him feel safe because he was in the army. His uncle is now the group leader and is trying to get everyone to Ethiopia where there is a refugee camp. They had to cross the Nile river which took days and they had to make their own boats. The hardest part of the journey was walking across the Akobo desert. Salva had a very hard time staying positive but his uncle gave him gaols such as walking to a bush or a rock, that way the journey didn't seem as long. The group finally stopped and rested but they were attacked and uncle was killed. Salve didn't know what to do but for some reason he felt stronger. The group didn't really help Salva at all, they would make him bag for food. Eventually they made it to the refugee camp where Salva stayed for 6 years. One day soldiers invaded the camp and started pushing everyone into the Gilo river where they were forced to swim across. That river was known for the crocodiles and many people were either eaten by them or they drowned. Salva made it across Salva finds himself the leaders of over a thousand boys and he leads them to another refugee camp in Kenya. He spends the next five years in that camp but then hears that some people are getting picked to go to America. Salva gets picks and get a new family that lives in Rochester New York. Salva eventually starts college and studies business but one day he gets an email saying his father is in the hospital. He eventually goes back to see his father that he hasn't seen in thirteen years. After seeing his father it makes him what to do something about the stuff that is happening on Sudan. Salva works on his idea for helping them for years but he finally accomplishes it. He even gets to got to the town where he put a well in and that is where he met Nya.

[djlunchlady91404 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Many times when you have 2 stories going back and forth through a book it is quite difficult to tell the difference between the two but in this book that is not the case Nya and Salva's stories are fit together perfectly. The story primarily takes place in Sudan from the mid 80's to the early 00's following the life of Salva, A lost boy from Sudan. A long walk to water is a story of strength,hope and perseverance. I truly enjoyed it and could see myself recommending this book to others.

[lilibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

During the war in Sudan in the 1980's an 11-year-old boy is separated from his family and joins a group of refugees walking across the desert to Ethiopia. Intertwined with his story is that of a young girl in a South Sudan village in 2008. Based on a true story.

[engpunk77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Required reading for all 7th graders starting next year, according to the Common Core Curriculum, and I'm thrilled that this was the choice. Not a phenomenal book, not rich in language and imagery, but the story is amazing and true. I love the author's chosen format, which you'll appreciate by the time you finish the novel. What I take from this reading experience is a frightful image that gives me an understanding of one risk of life on the Nile, a harrowing image of a real historical incident in Ethiopia that astounded me (something I can't believe happened and that I had not already known of it), the ability to identify Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia on the map, a feeling of helplessness about the refugee camp situation, and a hope that all painful experiences can lead to some "good."

[auj_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Short book, once I started reading it I did not put it down until finished. Amazing true story! Makes me thankful for the many blessings I have that I take for granted.

[lucybrown_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My teammate is using this book in her social studies class this year. Since I am the Language Arts teacher for the team, she asked me to read it so that I might give her some tips on how to approach it. And so I have done.

Park's novel presents one young man's moving odyssey from war torn Sudan to the USA, and then back again. As one of the Lost Boys, Salva made the harrowing journey through southern Sudan to Ethiopia then later to Kenya. His story is told along side of a ficitional one about a young girl named Nya. Nya is a member of a tribe that is frequently at war with the Dinka, Salva's group over water rights. Nya spends most of her day walking to a pond for water. Their seemingly parallel stories address the tragedies of war, drought, and disease in Sudan in a manner that is accessible to younger readers.

[kamgeb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I very fast read. A very basic book about the Lost Boys and the story behind them. None of the characters were developed very well. But it was interesting plot.

[yourotherleft_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Park tells, side by side, the stories of two young characters, Salva, a young boy in 1980s Southern Sudan, forced to run for his life when the war against the northern government comes to his village, and Nya, a young girl in nearly present day Sudan whose life is defined by her endless walks to and from a distant pond to supply her family with precious and hard to come by water. When gunshots ring out near Salva's school, his teacher rushes the kids out the door insisting that they must not return to their villages and potential slaughter but flee into the bush alone. What follows is Salva's perilous journey among strangers across dangerous terrain to the safety of an Ethiopian refugee camp. Nya's village struggles to find fresh water that won't sicken people, but it's becoming more and more difficult, until strangers arrive in her village with an unexpected gift.A Long Walk to Water is a short book, but a weighty one based on the true story of Salva Dut's terrifying childhood in his war-torn native country. It digs into the harsh realities of war in Sudan caused by both rebellion against the northern government that wants to force its Islamic beliefs on the whole nation and the dangerous animosity between the rival tribes of the south. Salva's story is both heartbreaking and often hopeless, but his refusal to give up and his coming of age under impossible circumstances are ultimately inspirational. Nya's story seems almost out of place, at first, highlighting the practical implications of living in an area where struggling to survive is forced to be the top priority, but the dual stories come together to offer a touching and pitch perfect ending.

[lindamamak · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful account of a young man whose life was destroyed by the wars in the Sudan in the early 90's. Whose life was completely changed when he was educated in the United States and was able to Pay if Forward and help his country later in life.

[phh333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is based on real events that took place in Sudan. It is told in two voices and two different time periods. Salva starts his story in 1985 when the war in Sudan was just reacing his village in Southern Sudan. Nya's story takes place in 2008. Salva's story is the story of one of the "Lost Boys" who escaped the war by traveling miles to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. Nya's story is the story of water - how its scarcity ruled the lives of those in her village.

[jubook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story on the harsh realities of Africa and their civil war. It is a reminder that we are protected in North America from hunger, war, drought, and brutality.

[leov_81 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Based on the true story of Salva Dut. Eleven year old Salva is living with his family in the village of Loun-Ariik, in Sudan, Africa, going to school, having fun with his brothers, when the fighting that was going on in some parts of the country suddenly erupted in his village. "Run into the bush" his teacher told them, and Salva begins a long walk to find safety, a walk that costs a number of those walking with him their lives. Not far away a young girl, Nya, also walks in the heat to get water for her family. This takes her all morning. After a little food and rest, Nya has to do this trip again, every day it is the same, week after week, month after month.This well written book is a wonderful glimpse of the lives that some children have to deal with. While it is tragic, it is a story of hope and growth without being preachy and I would recommend this to any one 10 years and over, and especially as a class read aloud book. The end has a lovely twist.

[lindsay_w_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Based on the real-life experience of one of Sudan’s Lost Boys, Park tells the harrowing story of Salva Dut who, in 1985 at only 11 years old, escaped soldiers in Sudan, and spent ten years in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. Dut credits his sense of hope and perseverance for keeping him alive all those years and for giving him the courage to carry on until he was sent to a family in America. Dut returned to Sudan in the mid 2000s, to give back to his homeland in the form of “Water for South Sudan” a non-profit organization that provides wells for Sudanese villages. One of these villages is the setting for the second narrative in this novel in which a young girl’s life is changed by the well provided by Dut’s organization.

[mtome_48 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inspiring story! Loved the way we feel we are there with Salva every step of the journey.

[adrian.gaytan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story based on true story. The book is written with two stories occurring relatively around the same time and same are of the world. Salva is young boy that flees war stricken Sudan loosing contact with his family and village. He has to fend for himself as a young boy and with some luck and determinism finds his way back to uncle and refugee camp. Never loosing hope to be with family he develops relationship humanitarian aid worker and invited to go to America. And he is eager to find family or help his war torn country.The other story within the book is about Nya of Nue village describes how she takes part traveling distances to fetch water for her family and village. She recounts of how strangers came to her village to do construction with great metal "animals", and digging holes that would help get them water. Nya is not impressed or believes this will be done. She is having doubts about her role as the daughter of the village leader. Without giving away the end these two stories intertwine with a good surprise at end.Some topics to discuss: immigration, boy soldiers, role of women, education, language acquisition, humanitarian aide, involvement, GANGS

[jilldavis-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Engaging ture story paralleled with a fictin narrative that tells the details of a young boy to young man's heartbreaking journey and ultimate survial; uplifting with possitive messages that are not politically tinged; gives young readers a starting point for participating in a global cause

[kateh.g1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of two children living in southern Sudan. One story includes Nya who provides water for her family. Even though the water she gets from the lake isn’t clean, but Nya and her family has no choice but to drink the water. Her town advances overtime and builds a school and well. Salva, who is the main character of the other story, travel from Sudan going through Ethiopia, ending in Kenya. He walks this distance all by foot. From Kenya he is chosen to fly to America. He moves to New York and discovers that a lot of his family survived the bombing in his village. When Salva grows up his and Nya’s pathes cross when he serves her water at the well that was just finished. I like the fact that the story is told so the story is appropriate for children to read. I did not find the book amazing, but I would say the author wrote the book well. I this is a great story of two people and this story has helped me look at the world differently. I admire Salva's courage. Salva and Nya are strong and brave people. Their stories have inspired me. My favorite part of the book was when Nya and Salva's paths crossed.

[mcorbink · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story of a young boy, one of the "Lost Boys" during the time of the Sudanese 2nd Civil War. It is the children's version of a book I read about the same topic. Awe inspiring, paralleled by the second story running through the book of the water problem in the Sudan and how young children had to walk miles a day to fetch a container of water, in this case, twice a day. I read this book in a morning.

[mckaori · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A compelling story line that opens your eyes to immensity of the challenges faced by those who become refugees and should motivate us to change things. How do you change things, the story line covers that too.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is the 2017-2018 Global Read Aloud and it’s the Pentathlon novel for this year.The story alternates between 2008 and the 1980s - 2000s. Salva is at school in 1985 when the war in Sudan reaches his town. The teacher instructs the students to run to the bush; if they try to return to their homes, they will not survive the war. Salva runs. After a few days he does find an uncle; otherwise, he is alone for decades. This is the story of the children of Sudan who lost their families and spent years in camps as they struggled to know what happened to their families and to stay alive. The other story takes place in 2008. This story takes place in Sudan, showing what has happened in this country since Salva’s experience. Nya spends all day walking to water and bringing water back home. She literally just walks back and forth to get muddy water. This water is what they drink because there are no other sources. Because the water is tainted, it’s not unusual for people to get sick and die because medicine and medical help is not readily available.This novel is an important novel because it’s a true depiction of a real person and a real country. To know what goes on around the world makes each of us more aware of our own lucky lives. It’s a short book and well worth your time.

[lissabeth21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What an incredibly important book!!! Read it! Read it now! It's less than 120 pages... you can read it in a day, but it may change your life forever!

[lrobe190 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This brilliant novel is based on a true story about Salva, one of the almost 4,000 Sudanese "lost boys", many of whom were flown to the United States in the mid 1990's. The story is told in alternating points of view: Salva's story about becoming one of the "lost boys" and Nya's story, a young girl who lives in the same area during the present time. Park's imagery is so vivid you can imagine living in Sudan; needing to bring water to your family day after day, some of it contaminated. Her depiction of the realities of living with constant war and the unimaginable sacrifices made by these young boys who travelled thousands of miles on foot to reach safety is heartbreaking.This is one of the most succinct depictions of life in Africa during the last few decades. The story is suitable for 5th through 7th graders, but should be read by teens and adults as well. It is certain to foster a better understanding of a culture with which many are unfamiliar.(E-book via netgalley)

[prkcs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.

[rwilliamson_53 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This motivational piece of historical fiction tells the story of 11 year old Salva, Dut, one of “Sudan’s lost boys”, as he walks to safety fleeing Civil War in 1985 and again in 1991 when refugees were forced back into Sudan. Salva’s story is juxtaposed with the 2008 story of Nya. The Civil War is over but a fictional character Nya lives in an area of Sudan with no running water. She spends hours each day walking through the bush to a watering hole. As a teenager, Salva comes to America where he resumes his education and eventually learns that his father has survived. Visiting his father Salva is struck by the lack of clean water. He ultimately starts a foundation that has provided 104 water wells for South Sudan. One of wells is in Nya’s village thus the adult Salva and 11 year old Nya meet. Clean water will change her life, freed from the need to seek water, the elders in her village plan to build a school. The writing style is spare yet moving. I’m working with a 5th grade teacher to write a lesson plan using Long Walk to Water and the picture book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba as the basis of a 5th grade service project at my school this year. Our plans are still rough but we would like to read these two books, and participate in the water challenge.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love reading books that are based on real events. This is the story of two people from two different time periods, whose lives cross paths. The story of these two people is told in alternating chapters.Sudan has always been a hotbed of controversy and war. Innocent people are constantly caught in the crossfire. The majority of them are children. Salva Dut, eleven years old, is one of those children. They become known as the “Lost Boys”. It is the 1980’s and he is at school when his village comes under attack. The teacher hears the gunfire and sends the children running into the forest. They travel across the desert to a refuge camp in Ethiopia. After an extended stay they once again cross the desert to Kenya. Many of them don’t make it. They die of hunger, animal attacks, and attacks from soldiers. Once in Kenya Salva begins to learn some English. He is one of many chosen to travel to America to live with an adoptive family.The other character in this book is Nya and takes place in 2008. She like many other young people don’t go to school. She spends her day traveling several hours each way to bring water home to her family. She must do this in the morning and in the afternoon. She and Salva both lived in Sudan but in separate tribes that don’t get along. It is her tribe that attacked his village many years before.It is after Salva graduates that things in his country are affected by his actions. He and Nya meet and the reader sees how their paths have crossed and why it is important. I will be using this book in my classroom this year and I absolutely can’t wait for my students to read it. This is a must read for anyone interested in learning what happens outside their own home. It causes us to look at how lucky we are to live here in the United States.