Reading and discussing a single book collectively is a powerful way to connect with your neighbors and community. This summer, the Nederland Community Library is hosting a One Book Program and we are all reading the short novel, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. The book is a captivating read based on the astonishing true story of Salva Dut.

Salva was born in a rural village in southwestern Sudan to the Dinka tribe. At 11 years old, the Sudanese Civil War reached his village and separated Salva from his family. He has to walk for weeks with only the hope that one day he will find his family again. Salva also struggles to find food and water to survive along with avoiding rebels, lions and other threats. He joined thousands of boys, famously known as the “Lost Boys,” on their journey by foot to seek safety in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya.

A Long Walk to Water blends two stories. First, the true story of 11-year old Salva set in 1985 and then the fictional story of 11-year old girl Nya, whose story is based in 2008, a young village girl that was a part of the Nuer tribe. Nya has to fetch water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home. She makes two trips to the pond every day. Do not be deceived by the deceptively simple narrative style of this astonishing novella. Though this book may appear “for children,” it is, instead, a launching point for compelling, intergenerational conversations that affect all of us.

For fifth graders and under, families are encouraged to read the companion picture book, Nya’s Long Walk: A Step at a Time. Nya takes her little sister along on the two-hour walk to fetch water for the family. When her sister becomes too ill to walk, Nya faces the impossible: her sister and the full water vessel together are too heavy to carry…

Salva’s experience inspired him to make a difference and try to help the people of his birthplace by bringing clean water to those in need. This was the beginning of the nonprofit organization, Water for South Sudan. Here in the developed world, we often don’t think about the water we use for drinking, food preparation and sanitation. In developing nations, however, the search for safe drinking water can be a daily crisis. Millions of people die each year, most of them children, from largely preventable diseases caused by a lack of access to clean water.

Read A Long Walk to Water in the next month and cross off a box on your Summer Reading Program bingo sheet! A quick read at only 115 short pages, you can likely read it in a night or two. Check the book out in person from the library or online using our e-book resources. Your library friends are happy to assist! Then, join the book discussion event on Wednesday, August 10, to enjoy Sudanese cuisine, discuss the themes of the novel, and learn more about Water for South Sudan from a presentation by the organization. Check the event webpage at www.nedlib.org/one-book-one-ned/ for information and registration details.

Attend this inspiring program for only $10 per person; the cost includes dinner, the presentation AND a percentage of the program fee goes to support Water for South Sudan. This is a great way to learn about Sudanese communities in Colorado and beyond. This program is being co-hosted and sponsored by local nonprofit Mountain Forum for Peace. We need at least twenty-five registrants in order to host the event, so please sign up in advance to help bring this important event to our community!

Salva's heroic personal story and humble character continues to inspire audiences of all ages. Call or stop by the library today to grab a copy of the book, get reading, and get ready to be inspired!

The Nederland Community Library is located at 200 Highway 72 North in Nederland. For additional information check out their website at https:// nederland.colibraries.org/