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A Long Walk To Water

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

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."

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  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      A stirring performance by David Baker and Cynthia Bishop conveys the dramatic stories of two 11-year-old children who lived 10 years apart in war-torn South Sudan. Baker portrays the boy, Salva, with heartrending effectiveness. Skillful pacing and vocal modulation convey Salva's terror and sorrow as he attempts to survive ruthless gunmen as well as dehydration, crocodiles, and lions on his dangerous trek to the safety of a refugee camp. By contrast, Bishop's unrushed, almost meditative, narration brings out the girl Nya's quiet resilience as she spends her day collecting water for her family. Sound effects highlight the thoughts of the characters, while a periodic drum beat and music set the scene of the African landscape. This production includes an author's note as well as words by Salva himself, which echo the poignance of his story. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from October 18, 2010
      Newbery Medalist Park's (The Single Shard) spare, hard-hitting novel delivers a memorable portrait of two children in Sudan—one an 11-year-old Lost Boy, Salva, who fled in 1985 and later immigrated to the United States, and 11-year-old Nya, who collects water for her village in 2008. Park employs well-chosen details and a highly atmospheric setting to underscore both children's struggles to survive. Salva's journey is tragic and harrowing, as he's driven by attacking soldiers and braves hunger, shifting alliances among refugees, and the losses of a friend to a lion attack and his uncle to violent marauders. "The days became a never-ending walk," he reflects. Salva's narrative spans 23 years and highlights myriad hardships but not without hope, as he withstands the deprivations of refugee camps, leads 1,200 boys to Kenya, and eventually gains sanctuary in Rochester, N.Y., where he still lives (he also contributes an afterword). Briefer entries about Nya preface chapters about Salva, illustrating the daily realities and sacrifices of modern-day life in Sudan. The eventual connection of Salva and Nya's stories offers the promise of redemption and healing. Ages 10–up.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:720
  • Text Difficulty:3

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