Midnight and the Meaning of Love By Sister Souljah p. 613

This sequel was even better than the first book. It took many years for her to write because although this is a work of fiction, she actually travelled to the places that the main character visits and she learned the culture. Midnight is on a quest to find his wife (kidnapped and taken back to Japan by her father) and bring her back to the United States where he currently resides. He is tested both mentally and physically his entire stay in Japan as well as when he goes to Korea.
This book is more than your average. It is from the point of view of a Sudanese teenager who places his religion and family first. This book was very good and I will probably read it again (when I forget most of what happened).

A Long Walk to Water

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park  121 pp.

Using the true story of one of Sudan's Lost Boys, Salva Dut, Newbery Award winning author Linda Sue Park has written a riveting account of Salva's journey from war torn Sudan to a refugee camp in Ethiopia, to Kenya, America, and back to Sudan. In alternating chapters with his story is that of a young Sudanese village girl named, Nya. The story begins when 11 year old Salva has to run from his school when gunfire announces the arrival of the fighting. Unable to return to his family and not knowing their fate, he joins a group of refugees walking east to Ethiopia. After braving lions, starvation, dehydration, a river crossing, and the desert he arrives in a refugee camp where he lives several years. Forced out at gunpoint, he then travels to Kenya and then is transported to the U.S. as part of a program to rescue Sudanese orphans. Nya's story is that of a young girl forced to walk many miles twice a day to get water for her family. The muddy water they drink nearly causes the death of her younger sister. Eventually her life is changed by the work of an organization begun by Salva Dut. This is a short book and a quick read but it is well worth it. Park is one of my favorite children's authors and she once again has produced a winner.