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10th out of 14 books
—
2 voters
Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together
It costs a lot of money to build a well in Africa -- a lot more than Ryan Hreljac had thought. Still, the six year old kept doing chores around his parents' house, even after he learned it could take him years to earn enough money. Then a friend of the family wrote an article in the local newspaper about Ryan's wish to build a well to supply people with safe, clean water....more
Hardcover, 55 pages
Published
September 1st 2006
by Kids Can Press
(first published 2006)
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This moving true story follows Ryan from the day he first became an activist until the day his entire family takes action to save a young man's life. When Ryan was in Grade 1, his teacher told the class about children in Africa who did not have clean water. Ryan decided to raise the $70 he thought it would take to dig a well. The project grew and grew, until several years later, Ryan landed in Uganda and met the boy who had been his pen pal. Jimmy's village rejoiced over having the well, but the...more
Summary: This book, written by Ryan's uncle, chronicles the experiences of Ryan who, at the age of six, learned that many children in the world don't have safe drinking water. He starts off planning to ask his parents to give him $70 for a well and ends up with a foundation and speaking engagements world-wide on behalf of safe water issues.
Response: It is impossible to stress how important this book is. It is well written, beautifully illustrated with photographs, and powerful at many levels. By...more
Response: It is impossible to stress how important this book is. It is well written, beautifully illustrated with photographs, and powerful at many levels. By...more
Dec 02, 2010
Isdlions
added it
I give this book 4 stars because it has a lot about the good things Ryan did for Jimmy. For example, he raised a ton of money to build a well in Jimmy's village in Uganda. Also, Ryan's family let Jimmy come into Ryan's family because the rebels were doing extremely terrible things in Uganda.
I think all fourth graders should read this book because it is interesting, suspenseful, sad and inspirational.
- 4.3
I give this book 4 stars because even though it is exiting and adventures you can learn some...more
I think all fourth graders should read this book because it is interesting, suspenseful, sad and inspirational.
- 4.3
I give this book 4 stars because even though it is exiting and adventures you can learn some...more
A non-fiction picture book about a first grade Canadian boy who heard of a need and did what he could (and then some) to help others. Ryan’s teacher told his class about villages in Africa without access to clean water. Ryan raised the money needed to build a well in a village and his desire to help continued from there. His story was so inspiring that others in the community joined to help him. Ryan traveled to Uganda and spoke all over the world about his project. Ryan’s project still continue...more
A great story made all the better because it's true! When in first grade Ryan, who lives in Canada, heard about people in Africa without safe water to drink. He determined to raise money to buy a well, which ended up in a small village in Uganda. Then his 4th grade class became penpals with children in that same village. Ryan's penpal was Akana Jimmy. Little did anyone know that soon the media would pick up on Ryan's intitiative, and he would end up flying to Uganda to meet Jimmy in person! Ryan...more
Herb Shoveller, Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (Kids Can Press, 2006)
One of my problems with kids' books-- which I've had ever since I was a kid-- is a feeling that sometimes the writer of the book is talking down to his intended audience. I got that sometimes while I was reading Ryan and Jimmy, and it stuck in my craw, though not enough to make me thoroughly hate the book. I like the story; I'm just not all too fond of the way Herb Shoveller (who, according to...more
One of my problems with kids' books-- which I've had ever since I was a kid-- is a feeling that sometimes the writer of the book is talking down to his intended audience. I got that sometimes while I was reading Ryan and Jimmy, and it stuck in my craw, though not enough to make me thoroughly hate the book. I like the story; I'm just not all too fond of the way Herb Shoveller (who, according to...more
The story is incredible, the writing is not. First-grader Ryan learns that some people in Africa don't have access to clean water, so he decides to raise money to dig a well - $2,000. When Ryan goes to see the well he helped make possible, he becomes friends with a local boy named Jimmy. This friendship ultimately ends up saving Jimmy's life, when war threatens his village. Great inspirational story, great to show kids that they can make a difference. Writing is pedestrian.
An interesting story about a Canadian boy, Ryan, who was inspired by his teacher to earn money to build a well in Africa. He showed incredible determination, and met Jimmy, his pen pal. The story of Jimmy is quite harrowing. This is an inspirational story that teaches about social action.
I really liked this book! I thought that the friendship that Ryan and Jimmy created across the world was very inspiring. I feel that this book is a great way to inspire other children to do what Ryan did.
This is an interesting true story about one boy who made a difference. It will make a nice addition to my summer reading program on water. Though it is a true story, I sometimes wish we could find books that tell stories that don't portray Africa as always dangerous. Sure it is frequently in parts dangerous, but I don't like people to think there is no hope or peace in the world but in the US.
A book often used for older groups with very young words and thoughts. This book has very low vocabulary words and is true and important, but often slow-paced and boring.
If you can get a child to read a non-fiction human interest story, this is an excellent book.
A truly inspiring story... but the book itself is not the best-written book in the world.
Storyline seemed disconnected, but would still work well with younger students.
About a boy who wants to build a well and his African-American friend
Mar 02, 2010
Greg
added it
this is fucking bullshit where is the lebian porn 69ing that shitt
Oct 25, 2012
Nick
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Canadians, children my age (11) and people who like adventures and happy endings.
I really liked the book and loved how it ended.
I loved this book it really inspires me
Mar 11, 2010
Srcooke
added it
i loved this book!!!1
it was very inspiring
Feb 28, 2009
Claire
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all ages, inspiring and memorable
This is an amazing story of generosity, pluck and luck. Ryan's six year old heart reaches across the ocean to children in Africa who have to haul water for lack of a well near where they live. He raises money for a well (long story) and eventually is even able to visit the well and meet Jimmy with whom he has been corresponding. Enter The Lord's Army who capture Jimmy who escapes to tell his riveting tale of survival and eventual rescue. An important book of compassion and resilience.
this is my fav book in the whole wide world baby
Great book
Feb 21, 2010
Jmkern
added it
it is very inspiring
It was pretty good... So sad about Africa, though. Glad I live in the U.S.A, w/ freedom of religion, and best of all, being a girl...
This is not the version I read. I should read this one.
Apr 08, 2013
Kamali Pope
marked it as to-read
Apr 07, 2013
Deepika Upadhaya
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| this is a good story | 2 | 6 | Apr 14, 2010 11:58am |
Herb Shoveller was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and grew up in Lively, a small community west of the city.
After primary and secondary school studies in Sudbury, he spent a year traveling in Europe, the Middle East and Africa before entering the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. There he did an Honours Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and then a Masters degree in Journalism.
After working...more
More about Herb Shoveller...
After primary and secondary school studies in Sudbury, he spent a year traveling in Europe, the Middle East and Africa before entering the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. There he did an Honours Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and then a Masters degree in Journalism.
After working...more
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