A Long Walk to Water

by Linda Sue Park
A Long Walk to Water cover
Good Books rating 4.4
Nonfiction
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7526
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780547251271
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

A Long Walk to Water is a compelling narrative that weaves together the stories of two Sudanese children, Nya and Salva, separated by time but united by their resilience. Nya's daily struggle to fetch water from a distant pond highlights the harsh realities of life in Sudan, while Salva's journey as one of the 'lost boys' reveals the brutal hardships faced by refugees fleeing conflict. Their paths converge in an unexpected and moving way, offering a glimpse into the enduring human spirit. The book is based on a true story, providing a poignant and educational perspective on the challenges faced by those in war-torn regions.

Reviews
Greenish Bookshelf · 2023-04-25
engaging 4.50

The story is engaging and immediately draws you into the action. The characters are fascinating in both timelines, and I particularly connected with their resilience.

The reviewer found the story to be incredibly engaging, with a powerful narrative that draws you in right from the start. They particularly appreciated the dual timelines and the way the characters' resilience and determination shone through. The reviewer also noted that the book is a great way to introduce young readers to the realities of life in Sudan and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    The story is engaging and immediately draws you into the action.

    The characters are fascinating in both timelines, and I particularly connected with their resilience.

    A powerful narrative that draws you in right from the start.

The Literary Maven · 2020-02-10
amazing 4.50

The voices of the male and female protagonists, Salva and Nya, are equally strong and compelling.

The reviewer was impressed by the strong and compelling voices of the two main characters, Salva and Nya. They found the book to be an amazing story of survival, with a powerful narrative that kept them engaged from start to finish. The reviewer also noted that the book is a great way to introduce young readers to the realities of life in Sudan and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    The voices of the male and female protagonists, Salva and Nya, are equally strong and compelling.

    An amazing story of survival, with a powerful narrative that kept them engaged from start to finish.

    A great way to introduce young readers to the realities of life in Sudan and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Goodreads · 2010-11-15
moving 4.20

The book begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, that eventually converge in a powerful and moving way.

The reviewer appreciated the structure of the book, with two distinct stories that gradually come together. They found the alternating timelines to be an effective way to build suspense and keep the reader engaged. The reviewer also noted that the book is a powerful and moving story of survival and hope, with characters that are both compelling and relatable.

Quick quotes

    A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, that eventually converge in a powerful and moving way.

    A powerful and moving story of survival and hope.

    Characters that are both compelling and relatable.

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