A long walk to water by Linda Sue Park

When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.

Very accessible story on the Lost Boys and longstanding war in Sudan, told in 2 interwoven timelines. Handles the violence & tragedy at an appropriate level for older elementary and up. Would be good paired with The Red Pencil or War Brothers, or as a starter for more complex and graphic content like Soldier Boy or A Long Way Gone.

It is written for children, but it is a book that everyone would gain something by reading. It led to great discussions with my children about everything from the basic rights of humans to the resiliency of the human spirit; from genocide to what our responsibility is towards our country and humanity as a whole. Meanwhile we got to read about the tragic life of one among hundreds of thousands, who survived to make a difference. The actions of the few literally changing the lives of an entire people.

I didn't realize this was a book for “young readers” when I ordered it however I am glad I read it. I haven't read anything about The Lost Boys before. It is amazing what these children went through and survived through perseverance.