A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is based on the true story of Salva Dut, a young man from Southern Sudan.  There are two main stories within this novel.  The first is of Salva beginning in 1985 when he is forced to flee from school when war rages nearby.  Salva had to run from his family and his village just so he could be safe.  Salva spent the next 11 years either walking toward refugee camps or living in terrible conditions in the refugee camps in both Kenya and Ethiopia, never knowing what happened to his family or village but fearing the worst.  Eventually, Salva is taken in by an American family and is brought to New York.  It is there where he has a fantastic idea that would lead to great changes in his home country of Sudan and to a very welcome and unexpected surprise!

The second story is of Nya, a young girl living in Southern Sudan in 2008.  The only thing she does every single day is walk to the water supply and bring water back to her family.  She is able to make two trips each day, carrying the full water container across the desert on her head.  Things are not good in Nya's village because their water supply is tainted.  Many people become sick from the water, including her younger sister.  Then one day, strange men show up in the village and begin work digging for water.  Nya is certain they will never find water there, but watches in fascination as their well eventually fills with cool, clean water!  It turns out, a very special person was responsible for this well being brought to Nya's village, and to other villages across Southern Sudan.

This was an incredible story!  It was based on the life of Salva Dut, a friend of the author.  This is a story I would recommend to everyone.  Not only is it the story of bringing water to the remote villages of Sudan, and the journey and struggles of an amazing man, it is a story of perseverance and strength of character.  This story reminds me of the book, Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, another story about a boy from Sudan.