A gripping tale of conflict and survival that has inspired millions of young readers and adults alike, with three million copies sold worldwide

Eleven-year-old Salva is forced to flee on foot when his village comes under attack. Braving every imaginable hardship - including killer lions and hungry crocodiles - he is one of the 'lost boys' travelling the African continent on foot in search of his family and a safe place to stay.

Nya goes to the pond two times a day to fetch water. It takes her eight hours. But there is unexpected hope, as these two stories set in Sudan - one unfolding in 2008 and one in 1985 - go on to intersect with Nya's in an astonishing and moving way.

About the Author

Linda Sue Park is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Medal winner A Single Shard, and many other novels, poems and picture books. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family, and gave a popular TED talk called Can A Children's Book Change the World?

Reviews

'This spare, hard-hitting novel delivers a memorable portrait of two children in Sudan...Tragic and harrowing.'

* Publishers Weekly starred review *

'Park simply yet convincingly depicts the chaos of war and an unforgiving landscape...A heartfelt account.'

* Kirkus Reviews *

'Riveting.'

* The Horn Book *

'There have been several books about the lost boys of Sudan for adults, teens, and even for elementary-school readers. But [this] spare, immediate account, based on a true story, adds a stirring contemporary dimension...Young readers will be stunned by the triumphant climax.'

* Booklist starred review *

'Brilliant...A touching narrative about strife and survival on a scale most American readers will never see.'

* BookPage *

'This powerful dual narrative packs suspense and introspection into Park's characteristic spare description; while there are lots of details offered to the reader, they come not in long, prosaic lines but in simple, detached observations. Both Salva's and Nya's stories are told with brutal, simple honesty, and they deliver remarkable perspective on the Sudanese conflict. The novel's brevity and factual basis makes the reality of life in Sudan very accessible, and readers will find both the story and the style extremely moving.'

* The Bulletin *

'Two narratives intersect in a quiet conclusion that is filled with hope.'

* School Library Journal Starred Review *

'[A] fast, page-turning read...A great book for high school students and an important novel for young adults who enjoy learning about other world cultures.'

* VOYA *



Book Information
ISBN 9781786074621
Author Linda Sue Park
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Rock the Boat
Publisher Oneworld Publications
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 10mm