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.

Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

Illegal by Bettina Restrepo is about Nora, a 14 year old growing up on her family orchard in Cedula, Mexico. Three years ago, Nora's father left for Texas, hoping to earn money to keep the orchard going, leaving Nora with her mother and grandmother. Every day since then, Nora has longed for her father's return. Her weekly trip to the bank to receive her fathers' telegrams and money turns sour one day when nothing arrives. After a fight about what to do, Nora and her mother use their savings (meant to pay their taxes) to purchase bus tickets to the border and to pay a coyote, someone who helps people get across the U.S. border illegally. Their 10 hour trip aboard a mango truck was miserable, but they made it alive. Once in Houston, Nora takes charge. She finds them both an apartment and jobs, all the while asking around about her father. As Nora's 15th birthday approaches, she begins to suspect that her special quinceanera may not be as special as she always hoped it would be, especially since in seems less and less likely that they'll ever find her father.

This was a great book! It reminded me a little of La Linea by Ann Jaramillo. Both show how desperate people can be to take care of their families and how important family truly is. They also show the dangers in crossing the border illegally and the lengths people will go to get across.

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is about Kek, an immigrant from Sudan, just learning how to survive in America. His father and brother were killed in Africa and Kek barely made it out alive. His mother was separated from him when soldiers attacked, and no one knows where she is. Kek is brought to the United States to live with his aunt and cousin, who have also been affected by the violence in Sudan. Kek is amazed at the modern technology and customs in America, but continues to hold on to his own beliefs and ideas about life. He also continues to believe that his mother is alive and will one day join him.

This was a great book. It is told in verse, so it's a quick read. The broad ideas within the story are relevant to everyone's lives - this isn't just a story about an immigrant trying to survive in America. It's a story that could be about any one of us, struggling in a new place, learning new things, trying our best, making mistakes, overcoming obstacles, etc. This is one of the 2009 - 2010 Maud Hart Lovelace nominees.

La Linea by Ann Jaramillo

La Linea by Ann Jaramillo is about fifteen-year-old Miguel and his thirteen-year-old sister, Elena. Seven years ago their parents left for La Linea, the line separating Mexico and the United States, promising to send for them as soon as possible. That time has finally arrived for Miguel - his father sent word and made arrangements for him to travel across the border illegally, and into the United States. Little does Miguel know that Elena has been spying on his preparations for his trip, and has decided to come along. This story travels with Miguel and Elena, and eventually with their traveling partner, Javier, as they attempt to make it across La Linea to meet their parents on the other side.

I liked this book. There were a lot of Spanish words and phrases included within the text, which made it feel more realistic. There is an author's note in the back which explains a bit about the story - while it is fiction, it is based on real events. This is one of the 2009-2010 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a beautifully told story of immigration through pictures. This book is told entirely through graphics - absolutely no text. The pictures are breathtaking! The world in which the main character lives is fictional, but this story truly captures what immigration must be like. I'm sure that my students will think this is an easy book to get extra credit for reading because of the absence of text, but it will really get them thinking. Reading is thinking, after all!

97 Orchard Street, New York by Linda Granfield

97 Orchard Street, New York by Linda Granfield is the story of a New York City tenement during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Linda Granfield traces the stories of four different families who lived at 97 Orchard Street during that time. Throughout each story she uses different facts and events to describe what life was like for early immigrants to the United States.

This book was really interesting. I don't know very much about what life was like for immigrants in New York in the 1800s and 1900s. Linda Granfield did an excellent job of telling real peoples' stories while filling in gaps with factual information.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is about Esperanza, a young girl growing up in the Latino part of Chicago. The story is told through many short vignettes, seemingly unconnected, but all centering around the hopes and dreams of the people living in the neighborhood.

I read this book to support my daughter and her friends in their summer reading assignment for 9th grade honors English. It was a fun experience to talk with them about their views on families, discrimination, immigrants, poverty, and dreams. Overall, this was an excellent book. I can easily understand why the English teachers chose it for summer reading.