A Long Walk to Water, Linda Sue Park. A true story of Salva, a "lost boy"  of Southern Sudan, in 1985. Attending school one day, war came to his small village, changing his life forever. Told to run by his teacher: from his village, from his family, from everything he knew and he did. The story takes us with him, as he, along with others, trudge through deathly deserts toward Ethiopia and a hoped that things might be better. Along the way, he finds his uncle, the apparent leader of the refugees. His words of wisdom get him through many difficult times. After living in a refugee camp, the people are forced to flee yet again, forcing them to cross the crocodile infested Gilo River, back to Sudan. Death, desperation and despair surround him, yet hope is around the corner.

Paralleling Salvo's story is Nya, a young girl that must walk eight miles a day for water. Day in, day out, she walks. The year is 2008. How their stories connect is heart warming and unforgettable.

Linda Sue Park, author of A Single Shard, masterly tells an important story that kids ought to know. I highly recommend sharing this story with students, perhaps, as a read aloud. It is a slim book, sure to capture their attention.

Be sure to catch Linda Sue Park as she shares the importance of books and how they can change a life. It is definitely worth the 12 minutes.