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A Long Walk to Water
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A Long Walk to Water Hardcover - 2010

by Linda Sue Park

From a Newbery Medalist comes a mesmerizing novel based on a true story. "A Long Walk to Water" begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985.


Summary

A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

Details

  • Title A Long Walk to Water
  • Author Linda Sue Park
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition None
  • Pages 128
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Clarion Books, Boston
  • Date 2010-11-15
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Dust Cover, Illustrated, Maps
  • ISBN 9780547251271 / 0547251270
  • Weight 0.58 lbs (0.26 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.41 x 5.84 x 0.61 in (21.36 x 14.83 x 1.55 cm)
  • Ages 10 to 13 years
  • Grade levels 5 - 8
  • Reading level 720
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1980's
    • Chronological Period: 21st Century
    • Cultural Region: African
    • Cultural Region: East Africa
    • Ethnic Orientation: African
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
    • Ethnic Orientation: Multicultural
    • Topical: Death/Dying
  • Library of Congress subjects Refugees, Survival skills
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2009048857
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"There have been several books about the lost boys of Sudan for adults, teens, and even for elementary-school readers. But [this] spare, immediate account, based on a true story, adds a stirring contemporary dimension. . . . Young readers will be stunned by the triumphant climax."—Booklist, starred review

"[This] spare, hard-hitting novel delivers a memorable portrait of two children in Sudan. . . . Tragic and harrowing."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Two narratives intersect in a quiet conclusion that is filled with hope."—School Library Journal, starred review

"This powerful dual narrative packs suspense and introspection into Park's characteristic spare description; while there are lots of details offered to the reader, they come not in long, prosaic lines but in simple, detached observations. Both Salva's and Nya's stories are told with brutal, simple honesty, and they deliver remarkable perspective on the Sudanese conflict. The novel's brevity and factual basis makes the reality of life in Sudan very accessible, and readers will find both the story and the style extremely moving."—The Bulletin

"Park simply yet convincingly depicts the chaos of war and an unforgiving landscape. . . . A heartfelt account."—Kirkus Reviews

"Brilliant. . . . A touching narrative about strife and survival on a scale most American readers will never see."—BookPage

"Riveting."—The Horn Book

"[A] fast, page-turning read. . . . A great book for high school students and an important novel for young adults who enjoy learning about other world cultures."—VOYA

Citations

  • Booklist, 09/01/2010, Page 97
  • BookPage, 11/01/2010, Page 0
  • Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks, 12/01/2010, Page 0
  • Horn Book Magazine, 01/01/2011, Page 98
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2011, Page 79
  • Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/2010, Page 0
  • Publishers Weekly, 10/18/2010, Page 0
  • School Library Journal, 11/01/2010, Page 123
  • Voice of Youth Advocates, 12/01/2010, Page 0

About the author

Linda Sue Park received the 2002 Newbery Medal for A Single Shard. In addition to novels, she has written picture books and poetry for young readers. Before turning to children's books, she worked as a journalist, a food critic, and a teacher of English as a second language. She lives with her family in Rochester, New York.
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Ginger Knowlton; Linda Sue Park

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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Linda Sue Park; Ginger Knowlton

  • Used
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  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Ginger Knowlton; Linda Sue Park

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Ginger Knowlton; Linda Sue Park

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
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Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Show Details

Description:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Ginger Knowlton; Linda Sue Park

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
Quantity Available
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Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Park, Linda Sue

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Park, Linda Sue

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
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HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Park, Linda Sue

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
Quantity Available
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Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
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Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Park, Linda Sue

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
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Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
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A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Long Walk to Water : Based on a True Story

by Park, Linda Sue

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780547251271 / 0547251270
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.78
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$8.78
FREE shipping to USA