A Long Walk to Water

By: Linda Sue Park

Narrated by: David Baker, Cynthia Bishop

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Children's Titles for Ages 8-12, 2014

In 1985 southern Sudan is ravaged by war. Rebels and government forces battle for control, with ordinary people…people like the boy, Salva Dut…caught in the middle. When Salva's village is attacked, he must embark on a harrowing journey that will propel him through horror and heartbreak, across a harsh desert, and into a strange new life.

Years later, in contemporary South Sudan, a girl named Nya must walk eight hours a day to fetch water. The walk is grueling, but there is unexpected hope. How these two stories intersect is told in this fascinating dual narrative, performed by David Baker and Cynthia Bishop, with the assistance of dialect coach James Achueil…who actually made the same journey across Africa when he was one of the "Lost Boys of the Sudan."

©2010 Linda Sue Park (P)2013 Full Cast Audio

Makes one appreciate all we have in America

Nice short story that I plan to share with a kid's book club this summer. In light of how many times I hear the words "I'm bored", "There is nothing good to do", "Can we go get something new? Our toys aren't fun anymore", my hopes are high that this story will shed a new light on all of the blessings we have. Maybe it can spark some appreciation for all the conveniences of life in the USA and empathy for others around the globe who don't even have ready access to life-sustaining clean water. This story has made me stop and be thankful for my life and, at least for now (sorry Amazon), quit wishing for things I don't have nor need.

The perseverance that young Salva exhibits will have more of am impact on my kids because it is a true story. We all fall victim to the "I can't because . . . " statements from time to time. It is so easy to become lazy due to the fact most of the things we don't feel like doing aren't life threatening, immediately at least. Death by crocodile, dehydration and starvation are great motivators. Even after the immediate threat to Salva's life due to his 'rescue' he kept pushing himself well beyond his comfort zone in order to help his fellow countrymen survive. What a way to role model a purpose filled life to today's youth. It would be great if there were children wanting to be Salva rather than LeBron or Beyonce.

A long walk to water

Super good and I love it. Love how it is a two person Book in one.

Beautiful!

A wonderful story of extreme courage in the face of hardship then motivation for action.

Great Read

Took me to a place I didn't know existed and pulled me in. Great read.

beautiful and eye-opening

This was such a great read aloud for us. my 11 year old and 9 year old really loved the story and we all felt like we walked in the shoes of Salva and learned so much about the tragedy of south Sudan. Highly recommend this!!

Great story, awful reading

Terrible dramatic presentation with fake accents. This is a diservice to an amazing story. I wish Salva had simply read the book instead of the ridiculous music, echo effects and bad accents.

great edu story safe for early teens

I enjoyed listening and then reserved the book at the library for my 13 yr old. It is hard to find books for this age group that are well written but not sensationalize to buy cheap readers. This book is educational and gives a great perspective for our western kids who don'tknow how good they have life. It's also interesting and fun to read. Great job!

Thank you for showing USA how things are elsewhere

It’s easy to forget how difficult it is just to live day-to-day, and other places in the world. Here I stress out about being a few days late with my mortgage payment or how am I going to pay for my dogs surgery when in other places in the world, just finding enough water and food to survive another day is such a challenge. I wish I could do more to help.

Great

I LOVE THIS BOOK. IT WAS SAD WHEN THE UNCLE DIED.THE BOOK WAS NARRATED GREAT TOO.😄😄

Thoughtful experience and engaging details.

I became enveloped by the story, enjoyed the development of the story, and I can't wait to share it with my middle school students!