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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
I sped through it. I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to give a star rating. But I would totally read an adult targeted, fleshed out version of this story.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked this book up because our seventh graders read it in social studies, and I had heard of it often but never read it. It tells two overlapping stories: Salva’s story of losing his family during the Sudanese Civil War in the 1980s and his dangerous trek across Sudan in search of safety and help, and Nya’s story, also set in Sudan, and the daily hardships she faces simply trying to provide her family with water.
The stories were both moving though, possibly due to the limited language, basic. It all felt very factual rather than a story, despite Salva recounting the truth of his life. I wanted more from it. More emotion, more visual descriptions, more reflection. It was a very quick read, and I think it’s an important perspective for young readers to hear from, but I just wish it was *more.*
The stories were both moving though, possibly due to the limited language, basic. It all felt very factual rather than a story, despite Salva recounting the truth of his life. I wanted more from it. More emotion, more visual descriptions, more reflection. It was a very quick read, and I think it’s an important perspective for young readers to hear from, but I just wish it was *more.*
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Just be warned, there are multiple deaths in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, War
What a powerful book for young readers! Salva's story of life in Southern Sudan during an ongoing civil war is moving, inspiring, and easy enough to understand for younger readers. Salva's journey across his homeland, and into refugee camps in neighboring nations is long, difficult, and full of loss.
Beginning in 1985, this short novel spans over 2 decades, and each chapter begins with a vignette from Nya's life (taking place in the 2000s). While Salva's story is the main focus, the reader sees how Nya's life shadows and ultimately entertains with Salva's.
This is a must read for children in 4th-6th grade to deepen their understanding of the world.
Beginning in 1985, this short novel spans over 2 decades, and each chapter begins with a vignette from Nya's life (taking place in the 2000s). While Salva's story is the main focus, the reader sees how Nya's life shadows and ultimately entertains with Salva's.
This is a must read for children in 4th-6th grade to deepen their understanding of the world.
fast-paced
I’m giving this four stars instead of five only because I’m slightly burnt out by reading it so many times! I taught this book in my 7th grade classroom for five years before switching schools and curriculum. My current school has recently been instructed to return to the curriculum that uses this novel as the foundational text for the first unit in 7th grade, and so I have just finished another reading after nearly six years away.
Despite remembering the plot fairly well, I found myself not wanting to put the book down as I planned out my lessons one chapter at a time. I think this book is perfect for reluctant 7th grade readers as the plot is fast paced and engaging (all the more so knowing Salva is a real person, and these stories come from his real, lived experiences). Some complex vocabulary is present, but overall it is accessible to a wide range of readers.
I read "A Long Walk to Water" from start to finish in the space of a day (even less than, really). I had read pieces of it in a 7th grade classroom I work in, but I finally sat down to read the whole. The book's primary focus is the story of Salva, a young Sudanese boy who is forced to flee his village and his family, all in a few minutes. The book does switch back and forth, though, between the story of Salva (in the 1980s) to Nya (in the mid-2000s). Salva's story is that of a harrowing journey on foot to different countries, from refugee camp to refugee camp. Nya's walk every day to water, while shorter, is still an effort to preserve life. Ultimately, the reader learns about their lives and struggles, and how in a strange and unexpected way, their struggle is intertwined.
The book is relatively short, but it covers a lot of time. When the book begins, Salva is 11, and when it ends he is well into his twenties, possibly even older. To me, though, this is perfect for exposing younger readers to such a difficult topic. Park spends enough time on the harder parts of Salva's and Nya's stories . . . the loss of loved ones, the starvation and water-born illness, that the reader gets a clear picture of just how bad things are for them. She weaves their stories in and out really well, but I think most importantly, she gives the reader hope. There are thousands of other Lost Boys stories she could have told that would not have ended well, but I don't know that I would ask a middle schooler to read those stories. Park provides us with a look into a success story, and as a result hopefully motivates the reader to learn more.
The book is relatively short, but it covers a lot of time. When the book begins, Salva is 11, and when it ends he is well into his twenties, possibly even older. To me, though, this is perfect for exposing younger readers to such a difficult topic. Park spends enough time on the harder parts of Salva's and Nya's stories . . . the loss of loved ones, the starvation and water-born illness, that the reader gets a clear picture of just how bad things are for them. She weaves their stories in and out really well, but I think most importantly, she gives the reader hope. There are thousands of other Lost Boys stories she could have told that would not have ended well, but I don't know that I would ask a middle schooler to read those stories. Park provides us with a look into a success story, and as a result hopefully motivates the reader to learn more.
Quick read, really tailored to the middle school audience.
I didn't care for the style of writing, but it tells a good story, of the event of South Sudan in the 80s from the eyes of an 11 year old war refugee. It's based on real people, real events, but some parts are fictionalized.
Very good. I like the way the stories weave together.