A review by snapplespice
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

fast-paced

4.0

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.