By Eric Walters
Publisher: Tundra Books
Published: Sept. 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-1770495302
Amazon Synopsis:
Age Range: 6 -
9 years
Grade
Level: 1 - 4
A drought has settled in the area around
the orphanage where Boniface lives. There are long line-ups at the tiny spring
where all the local people get their water, and suddenly the orphans are pushed
to the back of the line, unwelcome. Boniface's houseparent, Henry, tells him
that the people were mean out of fear--they feared there would not be enough
water for their families. When the building of the orphanage's well is
completed, Boniface has an idea to help the villagers. A lovely story of
kindness and heart, this story shows that, through compassion and
understanding, true generosity can spring from unexpected places.
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My Thoughts:
Boniface and his
twin brother live in Kenya in an orphanage where there is a drought. The local
people in the area gets their water from small spring where water slowly seeps
up from the ground. One of the women waiting in the long line up for water
pushes Boniface and the other orphans out of the way and tells them they are
unwelcome.
At the orphanage
they are building a well. Once they finally reach water, there is finally
enough for all the children and the crops and animals there. Boniface asks his
houseparent if they can help the people in the valley to build a well so they
also have enough water too.
I loved this story because
it is based on real events and real people. At the back of the book there is
the story and photographs of the actual people and orphanage where it all took
place. The young boy Boniface repaid the villagewoman’s fear with compassion,
understanding and kindness. The village in the valley now has enough water for
everyone and all the livestock as well.
The illustrations
are beautifully drawn. I thought the story was well-told without sounding like
the author was trying to pull on the heart-strings. This story brings to light
the situation that others live in, in other places in the world.
I gave this book 5
stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers who provided an early review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
About the Author:
A former social
worker and elementary school teacher, Eric Walters wrote his first novel, Stand
Your Ground, in 1993. Since
then he has written more than ninety books for children and young adults that
together have won over a hundred awards. In conjunction with his writing, Eric
talks to tens of thousands of students in schools and libraries across the
country each year. He also founded and runs the Creation of Hope
(creationofhope.com), an organization dedicated to providing care for orphans
in the rural Mbooni district in Kenya. Eric has three grown children. He lives
with his wife in Mississauga, Ontario.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie The Poodle).
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie The Poodle).
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