An American Bestseller, Now Accessible to Dutch Learners
Looking for an engaging Dutch book that is easy enough to read, but still feels like a real novel? Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen by American author Delia Owens is a great choice.
The Leeslicht edition brings this internationally popular story to Dutch learners in accessible language. Published by Eenvoudig Communiceren in November 2023, the book is 136 pages long and has a Leeslicht reading level of A2–B1. The Dutch adaptation was written by Jet Doedel.
Meet Kya
The story takes place in the marshes of North Carolina, where Kya grows up largely on her own. As members of her family leave one by one, she learns to survive independently and develops a deep fascination with the natural world.
Kya is an outsider in her community. She spends much of her time observing nature, drawing what she sees and gradually building her own life. Her story is one of growing up, loneliness, independence and finding your place in the world. But there is also a mystery: when a young man is found dead in the marsh, Kya becomes the main suspect.
More Than a Mystery
One of the strengths of Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen is that it combines several genres. It is a coming-of-age story, a love story and a murder mystery. This combination keeps the story engaging while offering plenty of topics to discuss.
Did you know that Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen was also made into a film? The 2022 movie, Where the Crawdads Sing, brings Kya’s story to the screen, with Daisy Edgar-Jones playing Kya. The film was directed by Olivia Newman,with Reese Witherspoon among the producers.
Why Internationals Will Enjoy It
Although the story is set in the United States, its themes are universal. Kya’s experience of being an outsider and finding her own place in society can resonate with people who have moved to another country.
And because the Leeslicht version is written in easy Dutch at A2–B1 level, it offers expats an opportunity to read a full, engaging novel without being overwhelmed by difficult language.
A Great Next Step in Your Dutch
Daar waar de rivierkreeften zingen is proof that learning Dutch does not have to mean reading only textbooks or simplified exercises. With 136 pages, an engaging story and accessible Dutch, it is an excellent choice for expats who want to improve their reading skills while simply enjoying a good book.
Book a session with one of our tutors and take another step towards feeling at home in the language. Read in Dutch and discover and discuss a great story.
