Books Like A Long Walk to Water

Alan Gratz

Three young refugees from different decades and countries make dangerous journeys toward safety, much like Salva's trek across Africa. Its alternating storylines build toward a connection, echoing the structure of A Long Walk to Water.

Deborah Ellis

An eleven-year-old girl in Afghanistan disguises herself as a boy to support her family under Taliban rule. Like Nya and Salva, she shows quiet courage in the face of daily danger and loss.

Gary Paulsen

A thirteen-year-old boy must survive alone in the wilderness after a plane crash, relying on his wits and persistence. Readers who admired Salva's endurance against nature and loneliness will find the same grit here.

Scott O’Dell

A girl is left alone on a remote island and must rebuild a life through patience and self-reliance. Its steady, reflective tone and focus on survival parallel the quiet strength of A Long Walk to Water.

William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer

This true account, written for young readers, follows a Malawian boy who builds a windmill to bring water and electricity to his famine-stricken village. It shares the same real-world setting of hardship and determination.

Pam Muñoz Ryan

A wealthy Mexican girl loses everything and must work as a migrant farm laborer in California. Her story of a family forced to start over with dignity matches the emotional core of Nya's and Salva's journeys.

Kelly Yang

A Chinese immigrant girl in California helps run a motel for her family while standing up to an unfair owner. Its focus on immigrant hardship and personal courage will appeal to readers moved by A Long Walk to Water.

Jacqueline Woodson

Six young people meet weekly in a room without adults to share their troubles and hopes. The brief, honest chapters and emphasis on finding safe community echo the warmth and humanity of A Long Walk to Water.

Ann M. Martin

A girl with autism tries to hold onto her bond with her dog after a storm, told in a clear and tender voice. Like A Long Walk to Water, it is quiet and character-focused, with a deep sense of compassion.

Erin Entrada Kelly

Four children in a small town come together after a series of unexpected events, each carrying private worries. Its gentle pace and attention to kindness suit readers who valued the humane heart of A Long Walk to Water.

Christopher Paul Curtis, Reginald André Jackson

A ten-year-old boy travels across Depression-era Michigan searching for his father, carrying only a few belongings and his wits. Its blend of hardship, humour and hope mirrors the journey and resilience at the heart of Salva's story.