When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan. Interest Level: 5-8 Reading Level: 5.0 ATOS Book Level: 5 AR Interest Level: MG AR Points: 3 AR Quiz: 140710EN Reading Counts Level: 4.4 Reading Counts Points: 8 Lexile Measure: 720 Fountas & Pinnell: W Iowa Children's Choice Awards 2013 - 14.