about the book
The citizens of Sudan, a country in eastern North Africa, endure many hardships, including finding water and finding peace. They daily struggle for survival in this war-torn country.
Nya lives in modern-day Sudan, and for seven months of every year, she spends the entire day, every day, making two trips to the nearest pond to bring water back to her family. She carries the water in a large container that she balances on her head.
Salva’s story starts in the mid 1980’s, when war broke out in Sudan and his village was attacked. Unsure whether he will ever find his family again, he walks and walks, trying to find safety.
This book is based on true events and real people. How do people like Nya and Salva overcome these difficult struggles in their lives?
about the author
When she was nine years old, Linda Sue Park sold her first poem, a haiku, to a children’s magazine for one dollar!
After getting a degree in English, Linda worked in public relations. She married a handsome Irishman who swept her and their two kids off to Dublin and London. Later, after moving back to America, Linda decided to write for children, first by retelling Korean folktales. Her first book took two years to write. She submitted it to six publishing houses and all six were interested!
Linda gets ideas from listening, observing people, and daydreaming. When she starts writing, she is never sure where the story is going to go. Only when she gets midway through does she start to gear it toward children or adults, full-length novel or short story.
Linda currently lives in western New York with her dashing Irish husband and dog Fergus. Their grown son and daughter live nearby. Linda teaches writing classes, participates in literary conferences, and visits lots of schools and libraries. She loves to cook, travel, and watch baseball. She has seen games in nine different baseball parks, but Chicago’s Wrigley Field is her favorite!
Source:
Author website
Also by Linda Sue Park:
Trust No One (39 Clues : Cahills Vs. Vespers, Book 5). Scholastic. 2012.
Storm Warning (39 Clues, Book 9). Scholastic. 2010.
Keeping Score. Clarion. 2008.
Archer’s Quest. Yearling. 2006.
The Firekeeper’s Son. Sandpiper. 2004.
When My Name Was Keoko. Clarion. 2002.
A Single Shard. Clarion. 2001.
The Kite Fighters. Clarion. 2000.
Seesaw Girl. Clarion. 1999.
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