A Long Walk to Water

By: Linda Sue Park

Narrated by: David Baker, Cynthia Bishop

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

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!

This was a great read, but a bit of a risk

Would you consider the audio edition of A Long Walk to Water to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed the reading of this tale and how the characters were depicted through their voices. What I did not like was that the sample did not have anything from the chapters in it, so I was not sure whether I would like it without taking a risk. I'm glad I did.

What did you like best about this story?

I was able to place myself in the "shoes" rather than the characters' feet in the novel. I love the message of hope and courage of the "lost boy". Listening to Salva's voice I felt like I could understand his emotions and his determination. I, also, enjoyed the interview with him at the end of the book.

What does David Baker and Cynthia Bishop bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A stronger sense of the voices and feelings of the characters.

Who was the most memorable character of A Long Walk to Water and why?

Salva is very memorable, see above answers.

Any additional comments?

I wish Salva well and hope his project to bring clean water to his country of South Sudan continues to grow.

I loved this book

This book was SOOOO amazing. I loved it so much!! The story was so amazing I loved it sooo much!! I would totally love to see the water pump!!

Compelling

The readers are sometimes distracting, perhaps oversimplifying the voice of children. But the story is incredible. once accustomed to the readers, the take will draw you in, because it's true, and still happening today.