Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Touching take on Lost Boys of Sudan, based on true story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 32 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an inspiring and educational read that offers insight into the harsh realities faced by children in war-torn Sudan, emphasizing themes of perseverance and gratitude. While some mention the presence of violence due to its setting, many readers appreciate the compelling narratives of the two main characters and recommend it for older children and adults alike.
- inspiring story
- educational value
- perseverance theme
- age-appropriate
- contains violence
- gratitude message
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
A LONG WALK TO WATER is two interlocking stories, taking place in Sudan more than 20 years apart. In the first, 11-year-old Salva runs into the bush when his village is attacked during the civil war. He spends years walking to overcrowded refugee camps in bordering countries, seeing friends and family die at the hands of armed men as well as from attacks by a lion and crocodiles, wondering if he will ever see his parents or siblings again. In the other story, 11-year-old Nya spends her days collecting water for her family, often making two trips a day to a dirty pond. When strange men arrive in her village, they begin working on a project that could not only change her daily duties but also her life.
Is It Any Good?
A Long Walk to Water is a short book, but it packs quite an emotional wallop. Readers will have no trouble empathizing with Salva, who suffers incredible hardship when a war drives him from his home. They'll also be impressed by his strong will, which helps him not only survive a terrible circumstance but also return to help the people still suffering in Sudan. Author Linda Sue Park doesn't gloss over the gory details -- a child is eaten by a lion, and Salva watches his uncle get shot to death -- but she doesn't dwell on them, either, making this book an appropriate choice for tweens. Some of the saddest moments come when Salva remembers the family he's separated from, including his father, who would sometimes ride home on his bicycle with mangoes wedged in his spokes. Readers not only get a look the historical tragedy that took place in Sudan but also, through Nya's story, learn how much work continues to be needed in that region of the world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Salva's story. Were you surprised that A Long Walk to Water is based on his real-life journey?
Do books like this one that blend fiction with facts help you understand history better? Does the book inspire different emotions -- or action -- than reading a news story might?
What do you think about Salva's advice: "Stay calm when things are hard or not going right with you. You will get through it when you persevere instead of quitting." How can you apply his advice to your own life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Clarion Books
- Publication date : November 15, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 128
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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