Walking Home

by Eric Walters

Overview

Set in both the wilds and slums of Kenya, a powerful story about a brother and sister's brave journey to find a place to call home.
     13-year-old Muchoki and his younger sister, Jata, can barely recognize what's become of their lives. Only weeks ago they lived in a bustling Kenyan village, going to school, playing soccer with friends, and helping at their parents' store. But sudden political violence has killed their father and destroyed their home. Now, Muchoki, Jata, and their ailing mother live in a tent in an overcrowded refugee camp. By day, they try to fend off hunger and boredom. By night, their fears about the future are harder to keep at bay. Driven by both hope and desperation, Muchoki and Jata set off on what seems like an impossible journey: to walk hundreds of kilometers to find their last remaining family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385681575
Publisher:	Tundra Book Group
Publication date:	09/23/2014
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	305,649
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

ERIC WALTERS is one of Canada's most popular and prolific authors for young readers. He has published more than 60 books, and has been honoured with near-countless awards. A non-stop promoter and visiting school speaker, Eric lives in Toronto, Canada.

Editorial Reviews

…Walters places forgiveness at the center of an adventurous story of survival in the midst of ethnic conflict…Having visited a refugee camp, spent time with children like Muchoki and Jata and done the same walk himself, Walters brings a wonderful verisimilitude to the story…

The New York Times Book Review - Monica Edinger

09/29/2014
A church fire, the result of political violence in Kenya, killed Muchoki and his sister Jata's father, and landed the siblings and their mother in a refugee camp; rampant disease and a dearth of food and water are only a few of the threats they face. After their mother dies from malaria, Muchoki, 13, and Jata, age seven, embark on foot for her hometown of Kikima, in order to avoid being separated and sent to orphanages. Armed only with inspiration gleaned from Muchoki's friend Jomo and a Kamba tale about following a string all the way home, the two trek 100 miles through the wilderness. While readers will feel confident that the siblings will arrive at their destination, numerous menacing challenges, from lions to starvation, create suspense. Walters (The Rule of Three) walked the same route himself, an author's note explains (photos and videos from his journey, as well as context about malaria, Kenya's displacement camps, and more, are available on a companion website), and he captures the hope and need driving Muchoki and Jata through empathic writing and a brisk plot. Ages 10–up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

An inspiring story, showing how perseverance, common courtesy and bravery can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
 
“A solid story of hope prevailing over despair. . . . With its . . .  comforting message of the strength of family, this story should resonate.”
—Kirkus Reviews
 
“While readers will feel confident that the siblings will arrive at their destination, numerous menacing challenges, from lions to starvation, create suspense. Walters . . . captures the hope and need driving Muchoki and Jata through empathic writing and a brisk plot.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Inspired by real people and events, Walters places forgiveness at the center of an adventurous story of survival in the midst of ethnic conflict. . . . Walters brings a wonderful verisimilitude to the story.”
—The New York Times Book Review

Praise for Eric Walters:

   • "Eric Walters is a classic storyteller. His award-winning novels are smooth, clean reads that put ordinary kids in extraordinary situations. . . . Highly Recommended." —CM Magazine 

   • "This is classic Walters: a good yarn, plenty of action, lively dialogue, and quirky details drawn from research." —Quill & Quire 

   • "Vintage Walters . . . the adventure just doesn't stop." —Canlitforkids.com

From the Publisher

11/01/2014
Gr 4–7—Muchoki is only 13, but already carries a great burden of responsibility. After extreme violence breaks out in his village, those surviving members of his family are relocated to an unfamiliar and unwelcoming refugee camp. His burden, and dire situation, only grow as Muchoki has to assume responsibility for his younger sister Jata and lead them on a long walk to a place they hope to call home. Walters went to great lengths to gain insight and details for Walking Home, which come through in the text. The writing is concise and melodic, capturing the dialogue and attitude of Kenyans. The pacing feels rushed at times, jumping quickly through scenes and lingering in others, but the brevity does keep it ideal for middle grade readers. The book includes real-life issues such as violence, war, illness, and orphans, but also includes themes of hope, family, and generosity. A forthcoming digital companion to the book directs readers to additional material that will enhance the educational experience for young readers.—Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

School Library Journal

2014-07-16
Thirteen-year-old Muchoki, his mother and his little sister live in a refugee camp after fleeing the intertribal bloodshed in their Kenyan hometown of Eldoret that took the life of their Kikuyu father. When their mother succumbs to malaria, Muchoki decides to set out on foot with 7-year-old Jata to reach their mother's relatives in Kambaland, a journey of over 200 kilometers. Canadian author Walters turns his firsthand knowledge of Kenya into rather standard, message-laden but adventuresome fare. On their journey, the children find individuals willing to help and who act out of kindness both in cities and in the wild. There's the requisite encounter with a lion and another with a Maasai warrior who defies the stereotype that Muchoki grew up with. Adults of a variety of tribes reinforce the idea that killing is always wrong, allowing Muchoki to grow beyond his urge to avenge his father's death. Unfortunately, nowhere does the author use a date to tie the story to actual events, a shortcoming for a first-person account based on the very real recent unrest in Kenya. Nonetheless, this is a solid story of hope prevailing over despair.With its dependable truisms—variations on "the longest journey starts with a single step"—and its comforting message of the strength of family, this story should resonate with North American middle-grade readers. (Adventure. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews