Price, Morgan Long Walk to Water Student Guide

Student Guide

Name ​___ Morgan_______

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 1

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Droned (pg.2): Something boring that someone keeps rambling on about
My sentence: At the dinner table my parents droned on about a story I didn’t want to here.

2. Halted (pg.4) To stop something really fun immediately.

My sentence: I was having so much fun but then my dad said I had to eat dinner.

3. Rebels (pg.6) An army or government making you follow a rule or law.

My sentence: In the holocaust they did not want people to the jewish religion.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ (R) ​What kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Salva is a student that is really smart because it says that he already knew what the lesson was about and how he
was not paying attention because of that.

2. ​ (R) W​ hat social class do you infer Salva’s family belongs to? Are they rich or poor? Support your answer
with evidence from the text. My answer: Salva’s Family is more in the wealthy part because his dad was the
village's judge and he says not many kids get to go to school.

3. ​ D​ escribe the setting of the story. Give specific details from the story.
My answer: The setting of the story is that in the story it said when people were running thezy were making
little dust circle’s on the ground so either it’s rocky or sandy.

Salva was staring of into space because he already knew the lesson and the language and while he was
staring of into space he was thinking about playing with his brothers and getting home. Then all the sudden
he heard a gunshot his class ignored it but then they heard a lot of gunshots and the teacher told them to go
to the bush but Salva wanted to go home.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 2

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your own
that uses the word.
1. Tense (pg. 9) To be nervous or have anxiety

​My sentence: I was so Tense when I sang in front of the whole crowd.

2. Scurried (pg. 12) Running really fast or quickly
My sentence: I scurried down the path to make it in time.

3. Objected (pg.12) To disagree or protest
My sentence:
PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​  F​ ind one example of a simile in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.
An example of a simile can be found on page 11. It states “father told him to act like a man” It is comparing a
father to a man.

2.​  (R) ​When given the choice between the line of men and the line of children, Salva chooses the men’s line
even though he is only eleven years old. What does this say about Salva?
This says that Salva follows what his dad says because on page 11 it says that his dad said “always act like a
man.” so he thought that he should act like a man but he had to go with the women and the children group
because the soldier caught him.

3. ​ W​ hat is the mood of this chapter? Cite details from the text that support this mood.
The mood in this chapter is mostly worried because Salva kept saying where am I, where am I going, where is
my family because he just wants to go home with his brothers and his parents.

Salva gets out of the bush and runs as fast as he can to get away from the village and he starts walking with
all the other people (probably from another village because he did not recognize any of them) at the end of
the night they get in groups with their town. Then the soldiers find them and tell the men to start carrying
guns and supplies then he and his village found a barn to sleep in but when Salva woke up they were
nowhere to be found.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 3

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Artillery (pg. 18) Large Guns
My sentence: I was overwhelmed and scared when I saw all the artillery.

2. Sympathy (pg.18) Feel bad for someone else’s misfortune.
My sentence: I felt sympathy when they told me they did not have enough money to get a car

3. Dimmer (pg.19) To get less and less bright
My sentence: The sky started to get dimmer than it was in the daytime.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​  W​ hy do you think the author chose to include two different storylines (Nya’s and Salva’s) in one
book? What is the purpose for this?
The purpose is supposed to tell the reader what changed from 1985-2008 and how things have changed.
Also the purpose is to show what is different from Nya’s lifestyle and Salva’s life style.
2.​  (R) ​Describe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka
culture? This tells us that the Dinka tribe is nicer to the older people because they need more food and more
help. It also tells us that the Dinka are nice to they’re other tribe members because he was not asking for food
she said you must be hungry or for anything he just said hi.
3.​  W​ hy would the rebel soldiers ignore an old woman travelling alone? Why would it be more dangerous for
her to travel with Salva? Explain.
It would be more dangerous to go with Salva is because of how he could start attacking the soldiers and he
would probably get killed or something.

Salva is very upset that he was left alone in the barn so he walks a long time and finds a Dinka old woman
and stays with her for about four days and he works hard so he can stay with her. Then she tells him that
she has to leave but he cannot come with her so he is very upset.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 4

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Lag (pg. 22) Fall behind

My sentence: My mom told me to keep up because I was lagging behind

2. Content (pg. 22) Satisfied

My sentence: I'm content to just move forward.

3. Sluggishly (pg. 23) Walking slowly

My sentence: I was very Sluggishly walking because I was tired.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​Nya has to walk nearly half a day to find water. What can you infer about the place she lives? Why do
you think she does this?
Because in Sudan the kids and the people who live there have to find water because here we have clean
water everywhere restaurants and homes but there, they’re not as rich so they have to find water from
ponds and it’s really hot there so the water dries up faster.

2. ​ ​Whose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer.
Salva because the tribe that came along did not want him, he has really no food to eat and he does not know
anybody. Nya has food, and her family, even though she has to walk all day. Salva was also carrying a plastic
jug for water on his head. That is why Salva’s struggles are worse than Nya’s.

3. ​ E​ xplain what happened when the woman in the group reaches out and touches the man’s arm, and he
changes his mind about letting Salva go with them. Why does he change his mind? What does this tell us about
the tribe’s culture?
This tells that the men respect the women and it is probably part of they’re culture and they have to respect the
women.

Nya has to go to get water two times a day but the second time she has to bring her little sister. Salva thinks
he is going to be alone but he found a tribe and the old woman tells the tribe to bring him but they say no and
then an woman in the crowd puts her arm on a man’s shoulder and he says ok he can come. Along the way
they join up with another tribe and then they find a beehive on a tree.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 5

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Clashed (pg. 26) Violent conflict
My sentence: I clashed with the british

2. Luscious (pg. 28) Really yummy and delicious
My sentence: I ate a luscious strawberry sucker.

3. Preyed (pg. 31) ​A prey of an animal
My sentence: We preyed a deer for dinner.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  W​ hy do you think the Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting when they face
such similar challenges?
They both have to walk a long time to get water and also that the tribes have to go through the
same things because they are both attacking.

2.​  I​ n this chapter, Salva meets a boy from his tribe but with a different accent who must be from an are not
near Salva’s village. What does this tell you about the spread of the war?
This tells me that the people that are attacking in the war are attacking all villages of sudan and the people are
running and walking far away. This also tells me that the people are making the tribes leave their houses and
leave their families.

3.​  ​What is the meaning of the phrase “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart”? (29)
Salva was very affected by this because he was missing his parents and ​Marial was missing his too. This was

very sad for Salva because the war made him and Maria both missing their parents. Lastly this means that
Salva was thinking about never seeing his parents again and also the war was very hurtful to lots of people.
Salva is very full from the bees honey, then they kept walking and people from parts of the desert started to
join then in they’re group of walking then Salva met a kid named Marial a kid from another tribe he had a
different accent but he was dinka. Then he and Marial became best friends.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 6

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Gobble (pg. 36) Very fast eating
My sentence: I gobbled down the ice cream bar.

2. Rebelled (pg. 36) To control someone else
My sentence: I tried to rebelled them but they found out and told on me.
3. Fortunate (pg. 37) Very rich or wealthy
My sentence: My friend is more fortunate than us.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1.​  W​ hat is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer.
I think one of the theme’s so far that I have seen is Never Give Up because Salva was always hoping that
someone in his family will show up and his uncle did but he still was like I have to find someone that lives with
him but still in his family like his mom or dad.
2. ​ (R) D​ escribe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text.
Uncle as a character is definitely a leader and very kind because when the people were tired he saw that
and decided that they should rest and he probably is very strong and fearless because he was in the army.
3. ​ (R) W​ hat do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence?
I think what happened Marial is the bad guys took him because there is the war and the other guys could
have seen him and he was the closest to them so without one sound they took him.

Salva meets his uncle and he stays with the tribe and his uncle and he kept throwing up a lot. Then he was
so tired that he could not stay awake so he went to sleep and he woke up to his uncle saying I’m sorry, I’m
really sorry something had happened to his best friend Marial.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 7

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Constantly (pg. 40) Over and over

My sentence: My sister constantly took my halloween candy even after I told her to stop.

2. Splotches (pg. 41) To smear something

My sentence: Light splotches where sumgey in my head while I was sleeping.

3. Staggered (pg. 43) About to fall

My sentence: I staggered because I was so tired.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​What do you think has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick? Explain why you think that.
I think that the reason why Akeer and other people in her tribe are sick because of the water they are getting
from the ground because it is muddy so when they drink the water they get sick because it is so dirty. I also
think that another reason why is because some people in the tribe are not as wealthy as others and so they don't
have much to eat. Lastly, I think that since they have to walk so far they burn all their energy up so they cannot
walk as fast or have enough energy to get water.
2. ​ (R) ​How has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this
event.
After Marial’s appearance I think that Salva has changed a lot. One of the reasons that I think that it is changed
Salva is before he wasn't as scared to leave his Uncle side because because he was talking to Marial and if he
still had sight on Uncle he was okay, but now I think that sell that has changed because he is scared to leave
Uncle’s side and doesn't have anyone to talk to. Another reason why I think that cell that has change is because
he is more lonely end it said that he had lost his family and now he had lost Marial.

3. What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer.

There's a couple things I think that the Nile River could symbolize. Also, I think it could symbolize a place in
Southern Sudan where people can get lots of water, but when I think of the River Nile I feel cold, wet, and I
also feel like I could get lost because it says that it's going to take days to get across the River Nile. lastly I
think the River Nile could be a place where it connects Southern Sudan to Ethiopia which is where they want to
go.

Nya is deciding whether or not she should take her sister to the doctors or just leave her at the camp and let
her heal on her own. Meanwhile Salva is figuring out that his friend Marial got eaten by a lion even though
the people were watching it must have been too dark for them to see and he said that Marial probably was
taken in the middle of the night end he hoped he didn't have to suffer. The next day him and Uncle Lead the
tribe to the Nile River where they sit 2 days straight making canoes for everyone to be able to cross the Nile
River.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 8

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Monotonous (pg. 46) Not very interesting
My sentence: I was monotonous because my parents were talking about work.

2. Abundance (pg. 47) Very big load of something
My sentence: My mom packed the abundance in the care.

3. Dismounted (pg. 48) To get off or stop

My sentence: I dismounted off of my bike because it was dinner.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ C​ omplete the cause and effect graphic organizer below (double click on the boxes to open up the drawing
so you can type in the boxes). Write one cause of Nya and Akeer drinking dirty water, and one effect.

2.​  (R) ​Why do you think the fisherman not share their food with the refugees? Explain your answer.
I think that the reason why fishermen did not share their food with the refugees is because they are on an island
and they might not have enough food to share it with everyone so they decided to keep it for themselves so they
don't starve. Another reason why I think that I didn't share their food with the tribe is because I think that they
are going to bring their food into the little nests that they made so they don’t get hungry.

3. Predict: What do you think will happen to the group in the Akobo Desert? Why do you think that?
I think that in the Akobo Desert the group will go through lots of things, one of the reasons I think that
many things will happen to them is because one person might run out of their water and maybe die.
Another reason that I think something's going to happen to them is because just like Marial they might
get eaten by a lion or they might be taken by someone from the war many things can happen.

First, Nya and her mom take Akeer to the doctor and the nurse says if the water is muddy boil it and count to
200 and your head. Meanwhile Salva is going across the Nile River with Uncle and the tribe and finally get
to the island. After that they all eat yummy delicious food on the island because it's for fisherman so they
had yams add sugar and sugar cane and all sorts of meat finally that night all the fishermen get in these little
tents and then like a million mosquitoes coming out of the water and start stinging and drinking all of their
blood the next morning they were itching everywhere and before they left the fisherman said make sure you
bring water on your big trip.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 9

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Relentless (pg. 52) Constant

My sentence: I wish that the ice cream was relentless.

2. Gored (pg. 52) To Stab
My sentence: Those rocks seemed to gored my feet

3. Precise (pg. 54) The same

My sentence: I was so upset when my friends dress was as precise mine was.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  F​ or what purpose do you think the visitors came to Nya’s village? What do you predict will
happen with the visitors?
I think that what will happen to the village is because Nya’s brother Dep said that the people that
came we're coming to talk about the water and I think that in the future of the book I think that Nya’s
town will be different with the water because just like Akeer other people are getting sick and the
reason why is because of the water so in the future they probably will change something with the
water.

2. ​ W​ hat does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer.
I think this chapter symbolizes how hard it was for Salva and other kids in Sudan to have to walk a long time to
be able to get out of the war and I also think it symbolizes that you know Sudan kids have to go through things
we don't and like getting water having to walk a long time to do that and also in the first start of the book some
kids in Sudan can't go to school because their parents aren't wealthy enough to have them go to school so what I
really think it symbolizes is that we have it easier than them.

3. ​(R) W​ hy does the woman give the dying men water, even when she knows it will not help and that it
will hurt her own chances of survival? What does this say about her character?

I think that the woman gives the men that are dying water because I think that maybe one of the men is
her husband so maybe she wanted to save him because it's her husband I also think that the woman gave
the men water is because one in Sudan the women have to have like four husbands so maybe all of the
men were her husband's and second of all the men can carry more stuff and her more strong so she might
need them to survive.

First, Nya has visitors and her Village and they ask to speak to the chief which is her uncle and so she wants
to know what they're talking about so she asks her brother Dep what they wanted to talk about and he said
they wanted to talk about the water. Meanwhile Salva is in the desert with Uncle and the tribe and he is
really tired he's really hot and he doesn't have enough energy and Uncle says don't drink all your water and
he says that's kind of hard for him to do. The next day seems like a repeat of the day before because it's
really hot and he's really thirsty but then most of the men in his tribe all fall down in the sand and this woman
tries to save them with her water, but this man from the tribe says no it's too risky.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 10

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Revived (pg. 58) Get more strength

My sentence: I revived when I drank the energy drink.

2. Ravaged (pg. 59) Very damaged

My sentence: The plate was very ravaged when I dropped it.

3. Receding (pg. 61) To go further

My sentence: I was receding when the car went down the road

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​How do you think the visitors will find water in the spot between the trees when Nya has never seen
any water there before?
I think that the water is underground because she said that there they tribes have had fires on the ground
between the two trees. I also think it is underground because of how she also said that there she has
never in her life seen water there except when it is raining and since it is so hot there that the water dries
up faster and that they don't have much water there so she wouldn't have ever had to walk so far if it was
there.

2. ​ S​ alva wonders to himself if he would have given water to the dying men if he were older. Based on
what you know about his character, what do you think he would have done? Explain your answer.
I think that if Salva was older he would have giving up his water because he cares about other people
and he doesn't really want to die but he doesn't want other people to die either and since he is this way I
really think that if he would have been older and Uncle wouldn't have told him to not he would have
definitely gave the dying men water.

3​ . (​ R) W​ hy did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for
doing this?
The reason why the strangers robbed the group and shot Uncle is because since the war was going I think
that they were like oh these people are part of the other team or something like that and they thought well
first we need their stuff and second of all we can just kill one of them so then he doesn't get his gun out
and shoot all of us and also I think they did this because they could use the clothes for shelter for their
bodies.

First in Nya’s village the people finally stopped their conversations and go to these two trees and are like oh
you're going to find water between these two trees and Nya was confused because she didn't see any water
and she's always had like campfires there and she was like there's no way there's water here. Meanwhile
he is still walking and the guys that fell down some of them came back up but some of them lay their dead

and they kept walking then There's these armored men that come up and ask them to put their hands on
their head and lay down and they take some people's clothes off and they stole lots of stuff and then they
take Uncle time up to a tree and kill him with 3 shots.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 11

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Uprooted (pg. 64) To pull down or take down

My sentence: They uprooted the apple tree because it was not working anymore.

2. Mourn (pg. 65) Show regret
My sentence: I was mourn when I stole the candy from the bowl even though I did not ask.

3. Emaciated (pg. 68) Really week
My sentence: I was emaciated whenq

​PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) ​Why does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death?
I think that Salva feels stronger and bolder because when Uncle died he was like attached to Uncle and
everything and he said to himself will you know what Uncle is gone and I have to be brave and strong
because I can't just try to hang on to someone because they all left me and they don't like me and they're
complaining so I think that he thinks he should be brave because Uncle's gone.

2. ​ ​Compare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Marial’s death to his reaction to his uncle’s death.
First, after Mariel's death he was hanging on to Uncle and he was really upset that his best friend was
gone because it was the only person that he knew at that time to be a friend and so he was upset. But
after Uncle's death he was being strong and no one would share food with him but that didn't bring him
down he still wanted to find his family and even though all his family was gone that was with him he was
still strong and Salva.

3.​  (R) ​How does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why?

Some of the interactions with the group changed after Uncle's death because the people in the group
thought that he would start whining and food with him because he was complaining about being hungry
and so at the camp he still was trying to find his mother or father and he didn't let the group bringing
down even though they thought that he would start being a baby that didn't make him be like oh my gosh
everyone hates me he was like I am still going to find my family.

First, in Nya’s story she is still walking to the pond, two trips everyday and the men that were visiting they’re
village finally when they we're done talking to the chief and they were trying to get water from in between the
two trees and Nya was still wondering about how they knew that water was in between those trees even
though she's never seen it there before. Meanwhile in Salva’s the story Uncle had died so they had buried
him and after Uncle had died Salvo was still walking with the group they were treating him so badly they
weren't giving him food they wouldn't share but Salva still was looking for his family and after 2 days of
looking and looking through the place he saw an orange scarf like the one that his mocubqw-/1trk6m used to
wear so he kept following and following her to see if it was his mom.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 12

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Skittered (pg. 73) To get around very fast

My sentence: It went around very fast that the statue of liberty was actually copper before it was green.

2. Torrents (pg. 74) Big amounts

My sentence: It made big torrents of water when they spilled the water jug.

3. Merciless (pg. 75) Hopeless

My sentence: I was very merciless when I did not sell any lemonade.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ H​ ow does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen?
This change is caused by at the end of him being young he was telling himself to just finish today and in the text
it says “If someone had told Salva that he would live in the camp for six years, he would never believe it.” This
means that he was telling himself that he should just finish today, he did that for six whole years. This also
means that he was stronger and older because of how he was in the camp saying finish today don’t worry about
tomorrow for six years so he became more stronger in the head and how he feels about being alone.
2.​  (R) ​What is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this
mood.
I think the mood at the end of the chapter is very hooking because of how at the end they are like there is
one thing that the Gilo River is known for and that is crocodiles and so it hooks you of what might
happen to him and other people because even the soldiers might attack. The end is also scary because of
how the chapter ends with just one word Crocodiles and it’s like well what if I was Salva or the other
people what will happen to me.

3.​  ​What do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain.
I think that the crocodiles will start attacking because of how it says that the Gilo River is known for
crocodiles and since crocodiles eat big things like deer or maybe a human they might attack. I also think
that before the Gilo RIver people might get killed by the soldiers because of how it said that the soldiers
were making them leave the camps and also it said they the soldiers kept attacking even after they left the
camps.

First, Nya saw a lot of equipment and her mom was carrying a baby on her back end was balancing rocks in
bundles on her head and then the people that brought the equipment we're taking the rocks and turning them

into gravel by grinding them and every time Nya walked by she saw more and more gravel in the pile.
Meanwhile, in Salva’s story he found out that the woman with the orange headscarf was not his mother and
he thought about it and he said to himself I know Uncle means now when he says that the village was
attacked, deep down inside Salva’s heart he knew that all of his family was gone. Six years later in the
camp soldiers came in and attacked all of the people because the camp did not want them in there anymore
and they had to cross the Gilo River in the end.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 13

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Prodding (pg. 77) Poke
My sentence: I kept prodding my brother until he told me to stop.

2. Plagued (pg. 80) Cause trouble
My sentence: I was being very plagued when I was yelling.

3. Scavenge (pg. 81) Search for something
My sentence: I lost my frog so I scavenged to find it.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ (R) W​ hat does water symbolize to Nya in this chapter? What does water symbolize to Salva?
Compare and contrast the differences in the symbolic meaning of water throughout the chapter.
I think the water symbolizes many things in this chapter for Salva and Nya here are some of the compare
and contrast of these reasons why. First, I think this because for Nya in her Village they are are making

a new water source so they don't have to walk so far and for Salva the water symbolizes many things
because of how most other people are getting hurt by like crocodiles or drowning or getting shot and he
was one of the only ones who really didn't die.
2.​  (R) S​ alva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most
dangerous? Explain your answer.
I think the in Chapter 13 Salva faced many dangers and the one that I think that was the most dangerous of
all was when the crocodiles were lunging into the water and the reason why is because crocodiles were
eating most of the people and so I thought that he could have got eaten but he just kept on swimming and I
would have been terrified because I wouldn't have known like am I losing my life or should I just keep
swimming.
3.​  (R) D​ escribe Salva’s character in the second half of this chapter. What character trait would you use to
describe him now? Explain your answer.
Salva’s character in the second half of the chapter if I had to describe it I would describe him as very
brave and he didn't know where Kenya was but he was willing to just walk and hope he could find it and
keep going in the same direction and since he was leading all these people he decided to walk at night and
he did this because he didn't want anyone to get hurt or shot because the War was happening still in the
day time was when he noticed that most people were getting killed.

First, in Nya’s story the people are still working on making the pond and getting the water So that the people
don't get sick because they were coming in and they wanted to talk to the chief end then they started digging
and digging until they would probably get water but they haven't been so successful yet. Meanwhile, in
Salva’s story the soldiers were still shooting at the people even though they were at the Gilo River they were
shooting at the people the crocodiles were attacking some people were getting drowned but Salva made it to
the end and he didn't know where to go after that so he decided to go to Kenya so we kept walking and soon
he joined up with these boys and he made it to Kenya.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 14

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Drifted (pg. 83) Carried slowly by water

My sentence: The boat drifted by the dock from the waves.

2. Isolated (pg. 84) Far away
My sentence: They were so isolated from us that we could not see them.

3. Misery (pg. 84) Great distress
My sentence: I was in much misery that i could see my vanis.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ H​ ow do you think the visitors will fix the brown, muddy water at Nya’s village? Explain your prediction.
I think that the visitors will fix the brown muddy water in Nya's Village by probably building like a machine
that cleans water or they will take buckets and take the water dumped it out and try and get most of the dirt mud
and stuff out of the water so it's able to drink because most people were getting sick of how the water was with
all the mud in the dirt and all the stuff in it. I also think that how they're going to clean out the water is they're
going to find a way to dig water out that's already clean or take like a cleaning chemical and stick it in the water
and it cleans like all the dirt out.

2. ​ O​ n a seperate piece of paper, draw a sketch/picture of the Kakuma refugee camp. Make sure it
accurately illustrates the setting. Take a picture of your sketch and insert it here.

3. ​ (R) D​ oes Salva feel hopeful in this chapter? Why or why not? Compare Salva’s hope in this chapter to
his hope on the journey to the camps.
I think that Salva feels hopeful in this chapter because when he was traveling to the camps he felt strong
and he felt very responsible because he was the leader of 1500 boys and these boys were all following
him so it was his responsibility and when he got to the camps all the boys split up and he hated to Camp
so much because he had wired fences and he just really hated it.

First, Nya heard a WHOOSH and it was water coming out of this big pipe but when Nya looked at it she was
very upset because it was a brownish muddy looking water and she thought oh no it's full of mud.
Meanwhile, Salva had got to the refugee camp and he hated it it has why are dates and he hated it so much
one day she met a guy named Michael, Michael taught him how to do things like the ABCs he taught him
how to speak English and Day by Day Salva kept saying his name over and over in his head sometimes
even out loud. There was this paper that told some people at the camp if they were going to the United
States or not, Salva really wanted to go one day Michael says Salva your name is on the list! and there it
was Salva Dut- New York and Salva said to himself I am going to New York yay.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 15

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Misunderstand (pg. 91) Not Understand Very Well

My sentence: I misunderstood when were going to the zoo so I was sad.

2. Lumbered (pg. 92) Move down a path or a road very fast.
My sentence: Our car lumbered down the road because we were late.

3. Abruptly (pg. 94) Land ar fall hard
My sentence: I abruptly fell on the ice.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. In the cause and effect map below, think of three effects that will occur when Nya’s village finally gets
water. *Double click on the map to access the boxes to type into in the drawing.

2. Find two examples of similes in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.
The two examples for the simile is when it says that it landed with an alarming stump and when it says later it
to landed abruptly these are similar because abruptly basically means to land or fall hard and when it says
landed with an alarming stump that basically means abruptly. The other reason why these are similar is because
he's on a plane both times and they both come to an alarming stop or dump in the lane of the airplane. Finally I
think that these are similar because it's true when you do land and an airplane lane it's really hard and like you
land really hard and so I think that they're similar because airplanes always land really hard.

First, Nya is upset that the water is still dirty but her brother Dep told her that it was going to be okay
because it was mixed with the water in the pond before so if they dig really deep they're going to find clean
water with no mud no dirt no things that will make you sick in it. In Salva’s story he saw his name on the list
and later he was taken to the airport and he had to put clothes on and he was like what this is like crazy this
is too much clothes because he was wearing only a few things before and they said that it was going to be
cold in New York because it was winter So he went to New York and he saw his new family and he was
crying because it making him remember about his old family and he was sad that he hasn't seen them in a
while

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 16

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Vague (pg. 99)
My sentence:

2. Notion (pg. 100)
My sentence:
3. Remote (pg. 100) Middle of nowhere
My sentence: Our house is very remote because

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ I​ n the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast Sudan and America. *Double click on the diagram to
edit the Google Drawing.

2. ​(R) ​Why is it so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father? Explain, citing evidence from the text.
I think it is so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father because it says in the text that he had signed
millions and they had to talk to people on the phone and I think that it is difficult because in the text it says It
didn't take days but it took months and so I think that this means that it took a really really long time to be able
for him to get on a plane to fly back to Africa and see his father and he probably was excited inside because he
hasn't seen his family for 11 years and he was probably excited because he would see some of his family again
and so I think that even though it took a long time he's going to go to Africa and he's going to be excited
because it's going to see his dad.

First in Nya’s story they started digging again by the second tree end even though that the water was muddy
and Nya is happy that she got water because when it first shot out the whole village was very excited that
there was water. Meanwhile, in Salva's story he is still in the USA and he's in New York and in New York
he's with his family and one day he got a message from his cousin that said Nation... father... and Salva kept
listening to it over and over and he wanted to come visit his dad in Africa and it took months of phone calls
and millions of papers to sign and lots of months went by and Salva finally got his plane ticket to go to Africa
and when he got to Africa he came in and he said I'm looking for a person named Mawien Dut Ariik.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 17

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Scything (pg. 103) Move forcefully

My sentence: The waves were scything and I went underwater.

2. Haze (pg. 106) Confusion
My sentence: I was in much haze because he spoke a different language.

3. Trembling (pg. 109) Shaking

My sentence: I was trembling​ w​ hen I was on stage.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​Choose one character trait to describe Salva in this chapter. Cite two pieces of evidence to
support your answer.

In this chapter I think that one character trait of Salva’s is determined because he went through all those
papers and all the phone calls and the stuff he had to do before he could get a plane ticket and he finally
did instead of giving up and just being like I'm not going to go see my father it's fine he was like I have to
go see it my father because I haven't seen him in a long time. I also think that another character trait for
Salva in this chapter is happy for what he has because when his father told him to go home he was happy
that he even saw his father like he wasn't like I have to stay here but he was like I'm going to go I hope
you have a nice walk father.

2. ​ ​What do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be?
I predict that Salva’s project for South Sudan will be something like a transportation company because his
dad had to walk three hundred miles and so Salva might make transportation because unlike his dad other

people will not have to walk so far when your sick and you need help you can just go hey I need to go to
the hospital let’s get going instead of going bye I have to walk like three hundred miles so I can go get
better and so the transportation might be his big plan to help the people have enough energy to be able to
make it to the hospital.

3.​  (R) ​How do you infer Salva feels about speaking in front of an audience? Cite two pieces of evidence
from the text that supports this.
I think that Salva feels very scared because he was nervous at first but then he remember that he led all
those boys and he was the leader and so he Remembered how he had a meeting with him every morning
and every night and then he started talking hello my name is Salva and he just kept talking because he
kept remembering about how he had a meeting with the whole hundred boys and when he kept
remembering that he was not scared anymore.

First and Nya’s story she figured out that since they were digging she didn't know what was going to be there
but her father told her that a school is going to be there and she was really happy because she's never been
to a school because the farther the schools the miles away and so she was really happy. Meanwhile, in
Salva’s story he went to go see his father and his father didn't remember him at first but after his father
remembered him and his really happy and told him where he like his mom was and his sisters were and in
the end they spent a few days together and in the end how was Dad told him to go home and he did and on
his way there he had a great idea for Southern Sudan.

STUDENT GUIDE – CHAPTER 18

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.

1. Disputes (pg. 113)
My sentence:

2. Maintaining (pg. 113)

My sentence: M​ y internet was running very slow.

3. Assumed (pg. 114)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS
1. ​ (R) H​ ow have the volunteers creating one well transformed the lives of the villagers? Give at least
three different positive effects of the new well.
2.​  H​ ow do Salva’s story and Nya’s story intersect and come together in this chapter? Why do you think
the author chose to tell the story this way?

man​3. ​ ​Was your prediction about Salva’s project from last chapter correct or incorrect?

Write a 1-2 sentence summary of this chapter.

STUDENT GUIDE – MESSAGE & AUTHOR’S NOTE

PART 1: VOCABULARY
Infer the meaning of each vocabulary word using context clues in the story. Then write a sentence of your
own that uses the word.
1. Perseverance (pg. 117)
My sentence:
2. Depicted (pg. 118)
My sentence:
3. Languished (pg. 119)
My sentence:

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  A​ re you satisfied with how the book ended? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended it
differently?
I am satisfied of how the book ended except for one thing about how Nya and Salva met because Nya’s story is
not real and salvas story is real and so I think that I wouldn't have ended it with Nya and Salva meeting, and also
that instead of having a fake character the author of could have put a real kid that has met Salva and how they
felt when they were walking so far every day and then just one day get water out of well and they don't have to
walk anymore.

2.​  D​ o you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain.
I think that there will be peace in Sudan Someday because Salva brought water to the nuer even though it
was still at War and so if they got water from Dinka people they're probably going to forgive them and
they're not going to be at War anymore because they had to walk so far and someone's bringing them
water from water bills so they're going to be happy and they're going to be grateful that since there's water
wells they can go to school too.

3. ​ (R) ​What do you feel the theme/message of the book is? Explain your answer thoroughly.
I think the theme/message for the story is be grateful for what you have because these kids have to walk
so far to be able to have water for their whole family and adults if they have to go to the hospital even
kids have to walk so far and they're sick so they're not going to feel good so I think that the message of
the story is be grateful because we have cars and if you have to go to the hospital you just have to drive a
few minutes down the road and we have water in our houses if you have a fridge so be grateful.

In the summary of this chapter the author put a note from Salva and a note from her Salvas was about his
childhood and how he actually went through the things that were in the book for Salva’s character like having
to go across the river and the authors note was about how some of the parts of Salva’s story where a little bit
detailed and a little bit fake but Nya’s character was all fake it was all made up but by people like the lost
boys that followed Salva to Kenya and how she met Salva and how she got all the details for the story and
also about how there is still war in South Sudan.