Way to go, Grace Baghdady

Grace Baghdady is the first to post one of her reviews from the 7th grade geography summer reading list.   Grace read,  A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. Grace says, "I thought this book was really enjoyable and as proof of it I read it in only two to three hours."

Park, the author of The Single Shard read by every 4th grader at OPS has written a novel based on true stories about two children in Sudan. Salva, an eleven year old boy flees from his village in Sudan to escape political violence.  He walks miles to Ethiopia hoping to find safety in a refugee camp, but is forced out of the country and must travel many more treacherous miles to Kenya.  In her review Baghdady says, "Salva battles to stay alive by running away...he couldn't stay where he was raised because it was far too dangerous with men constantly coming to force men and young boys to fight.  I can't imagine how awful it was with kids killing kids."  The alternating chapter of eleven year old, Nya describes her everyday struggle to walk to find water for her family.  Park has written a compelling novel about survival and hope.  Take a couple of hours this summer and read her story.

The author Linda Sue Park has been writing her entire life.  Her first publication was a haiku in a children's magazine.  Read more about Park in her Scholastic biography.

Thanks, Grace for stepping up to Ms. Tewkesbury's challenge.  By the way, Ms. Tewkesbury  is in Zambia right now so I'm sure she will have some interesting stories to share with us.

Keep reading.  The list includes many stories that will have an impact on how you view freedom as well as the simple luxury of running water.

Looking forward to hearing from others.  If you've read A Long Walk to Water leave a comment on how it has made an impact on your life.