Michaels, Sydney-Long Walk to Water Student Guide

Student Guide

Name: Sydney Michaels

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): A person speaking in a single tone, no change in their tone

My sentence: My principals voice drones over the speaker in the morning.

2​ . Halted (pg.4): Stopped or stopped by something

M​ y sentence: The boys were running and they were halted by the soldiers

3​ . Rebels (pg.6): One or more people going against an idea, government, or person

M​ y sentence: The Rebels turned on the government.

​PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​ (R) ​What kind of student is Salva? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Salva is a very smart and great student. One of the biggest reasons is that he already knows
what he’s learning. According to the text, (Salva was well aware of how lucky he was to be able
To go to school.) In addition, (Salva was a good student. He already knew the lesson.) This shows
That Salva is a great student for knowing lessons before they are taught and that he is so lucky to
go to school. These are just a couple of the reasons why Salva is a great student.

2. ​ (R) ​What social class do you infer Salva’s family belongs to? Are they rich or poor? Support your answer
with evidence from the text.

Salva’s family was rich and they belonged to the middle class. Two of the biggest reasons are that Salva’s dad is a successful man and
he owned a head of cattle. According to the text, “Salva’s father was a successful man.” In addition, “He owned a head of cattle and
worked as their village’s judge- an honored respected position.” This shows that Salva’s is a middle class family who is rich and lives
in not a great condition but, probably lives a better life than the other people in their village. These are just a couple reasons why
Salva’s family is middle class and why they are rich.

3. ​ D​ escribe the setting of the story. Give specific details from the story.
There were two settings in chapter one. One setting was the classroom and the classroom

Had desks with chairs and had windows. The other setting in the story was Salvas house. Salva’s
House was medium size and was located in a village.

In this chapter Salva was sitting in his chair, at his desk, in his classroom while the teacher was teaching but,
Salva didn’t pay attention because he had already knew that lesson so he wandered in his mind. Salva’s
father was a successful man because he owned a head of cattle and he was a judge for his village. In
Salva’s free time he would play with the other boys by making cows out of clay or shooting bows and arrows.
Once in a while they get lucky and shoot a squirrel or a bird and then they roast it. Whenever Salva gets
home his mom has a bowl of milk waiting for him to drink because it will make him full until dinner. That day
the teacher and the kids heard a gunshot fire sound that was loud and booming and frightful. The teacher
told the kids to duck their heads and follow out into the bushes immediately. Salva felt his heartbeat fast. He
took a glance at the shooter but still didn’t know who it was.

S​ TUDENT 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) Your anxious or annoyed at someone or something

M​ y sentence: The second chapter of A Long Walk To Water was very T​ ense​.

​2. Scurried (pg. 12) Your running fast or your trying to get away from someone or something

My sentence: The boys ​Scurried​ back into the house before the storm hit.

​3. Objected (pg.12) You disagree or don’t approve

My sentence: I asked everybody if they O​ bjected​ if so and so was guilty.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​Find one example of a simile in this chapter. Explain what is being compared.

A​ n example of a simile can be found on page 8. and It states, “A jet plane veered
away l​ ike​ a sleek evil bird.” It is comparing a jet to a sleek evil bird.

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?
Salva is young man and he is able to be old enough to be in the men’s group. Two of the biggest reasons are that
teenage boys were considered men and that Salva was and important son of his family. According to the text,
“Teenage boys, it seemed, were considered men, for boys who looked only a few years older than Salva were
joining the men’s group.” In addition, “He was only eleven, but he was the son of an important family. He was
Salva Mawien Dut Ariik, from the village named for his grandfather.” Also, “His father always told him to act

like a man.” This shows why Salva went into the men’s group instead of the women and children group. These
are just a couple of the reasons why Salva decided to join the men’s group and not the children and women
group.

3.​  (R) ​What is the mood of this chapter? Cite details from the text that support this mood.
After reading this chapter, it was clear that the mood was depressed or depressing. According to the text, “Salva
scanned their faces. There was no one from his family.” In addition, “A soldier approached and pointed a gun at
Salva. Salva froze. All he could see was the guns huge barrel, black and gleaming, as it moved toward his face.”
Also, “No one was in the barn. Salva stood up so quickly that for a moment he felt dizzy. He rushed to the door
and looked out. Nobody. Nothing. They had left him. He was all alone. This shows why the mood in this
chapter is depressed. These are just a couple of the reasons why the mood is depressed for chapter two.

In Nya’s part of the story, she was walking and she stepped on a thorn and it was in the middle of her heel
and then half of the thorn broke off so she sat down and tried to poke and prod at the thorn and her skin to
get it out. In Salva’s other part of the story, they were running away from the bushes and school. Salva
asked “where is my family and when will I see them again.” No one answered though. Then they had to split
up into groups and there was a women and children group and a men’s group. Salva thought that he should
go into the men’s group because they were other teenagers who were just a few years older that Salva going
into the men’s group. He also went in the men’s group because his father always told him to act like a man.
But then a soldier caught him and took him to the women and children group. They all found a placed to
sleep, but in the morning they were all gone and they left Salva.

​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): Guns and weapons and other dangerous tools
My sentence: The soldiers were packing up the artillery so they could go on their mission

​2. Sympathy (pg.18): you have to leave someone for a reason even though you know they need you

My sentence: The soldier shook his head in sympathy

3​ . Dimmer (pg.19): The light went darker

My sentence:I said goodnight to my dad as he dimmed my room

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 Author chose to include two different story lines because she thought that having to perspectives of
what it was like in Sudan. She also included two story lines so the book wouldn’t be focused on one
person and be focused on two people.
2​ .​  (R) ​Describe how Salva treats the older woman he comes across. What does this tell us about Dinka
culture?
Salva treats the older woman respectfully. According to the text, Salva said to the old woman, “Good morning,
Auntie, his voice was trembling.” Also, Salva said to the old woman, “Thank you, Auntie.” This shows why
Salva was being respectful to the old woman. These are just a couple of the reasons why and how Salva was
respectful to the old woman.
3.​  ​Why would the rebel soldiers ignore an old woman travelling alone? Why would it be more dangerous for
her to travel with Salva? Explain.
The rebel soldiers would ignore the old woman mainly because she would be of no use or need to them. The
rebel soldiers would also ignore the old woman because if they accidentally shouted out something secret, it’s
not like she would be able to run fast enough to tell anyone.

In Nya’s part of the story she put a doughnut one her head and then she put the water jug on her head and
filled to gourds up with water. In Salva’s part of the story he found an old woman by the barn and she gave
him peanuts and then he ate them slowly so they would last. The woman was leaving to save herself and
then a Dinka tribe on there way out of a village found Salva and took him to go find a way out of the war
zone.

​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): slow down or walk really slowly

My sentence: I was trying not to lag as much as I did in the last race

2​ . Content (pg. 22): Happy or joyful

My sentence:I was really content with the idea of going to Cedar Point

​3. Sluggishly (pg. 23): walking slow and slouching

My sentence: I was sluggishly walking to my bedroom trying to waste more time so I didn’t have to go to bed

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  N​ ya 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?
Nya has to walk everyday, eight hours a day to a desert plains with plants with thorns and thorns on the ground.
The weather is always hot and they were no trees.
2. ​ ​Whose struggles do you feel is worse – Salva’s or Nya’s? Why? Explain your answer.
​ Salva struggles are more challenging than Nya’s. This is true because Nya is just having to go eight hours to
get water and then go home and then go back out again. Salva is in war and he can’t find his family and he is in
the middle of nowhere trying to get to somewhere away from the war and the rebels.

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?
The man changed his mind and let Salva go with them because the women probably wouldn’t want to leave
Salva behind because the Dinka culture doesn’t leave their own Dinka people behind.

In Salva’s part of the story he was walking with the other Dinka tribe and his peanut supply that he was just
finishing, ran out. A kid from the Jur-chol tribe, heard whispers of birds telling him that there was a beehive
near. Salva and the kid from the Jur-chol tribe found the beehive and they shared it with the rest of their
tribe.

​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): Fought against each other

My sentence: Me and my dog ​Clashed​ over the tug-a-war toy

2​ . Luscious (pg. 28): Sweet taste

My sentence: My mouth was watering from looking at that L​ uscious​ chocolate cake

3​ . Preyed (pg. 31): Hunted or Killed

My sentence: I watched as the lion ​Preyed​ the gazelle

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​Why do you think the Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting when they face
such similar challenges?
The Dinka and Nuer have such a long history of fighting because they stole special materials
from each other they had really bad arguments which lead to battle and killing.

2. ​ I​ n this chapter, Salva meets a boy from his tribe but with a different accent who must be from an area not
near Salva’s village. What does this tell you about the spread of the war?
This tells us that the war has gone farther than just around Salva’s village. This tells us that it the war has
spreaded to more than South Sudan it has spreaded to just Sudan as well. The last thing this tells us about the
war is that it as moved people farther than South Sudan and now there are having to leave their homes, villages,
and families to survive the horrible war.

3. ​ W​ hat is the meaning of the phrase “Salva heard that sigh all the way to his heart”? (29)

Salva’s emotions were affected by the sigh he heard.

In Nya’s part of the story she and her family moved to a house near the big lake. In Salva’s part of the story
he ate his luscious honey and honeycomb and he was able to walk faster with something in his belly. One of
Salva’s eyes was swollen shut by a bee sting. Salva accidentally stepped on a boys hand from his village but
was in the back of his village and he knew that because he had an accent and Salva knew it. Salva and this
boy were almost the same height and they walked with each other the rest of the day and the next morning
Salva’s mouth dropped in amazement.

S​ TUDENT 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): Inhale fast or atle it all up

My sentence: I ​Gobbled​ up the Mac’n’cheese.

2. Rebelled (pg. 36): Regret or Hate what you did

My sentence:​ ​My stomach ​Rebelled​ over eating brussel sprouts

3. Fortunate (pg. 37): Lucky or One Chance

My sentence: I was ​Fortunate​ to get an IPad for Christmas

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​What is one theme you are seeing emerge in the novel so far? Explain your answer.

The Theme of this novel so far would be, Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. According to
the text, “Salva felt his knees turn to water. He closed his eyes. If I die now, I will never see my family again. Somehow, this
thought strengthened him enough to keep him from collapsing in terror.” In addition, Salva held his breath as he scanned the
faces, one by one. Then the air left his lungs and seemed to take all hope with it. Strangers. No one from his family.” Also,
“The days became a never-ending walk. Salva’s feet kept time with the thoughts in his head, the same words over and over:
Where is my family? Where is my family?” This shows why the theme right now of this novel is, Courage is resistance to fear,
mastery of fear, not absence of fear. These are just a couple of reasons why the theme of this novel is, Courage is resistance to
fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

2. ​ (R) D​ escribe the character of Uncle, citing evidence from the text.
​Uncle Jewiir’s character traits would be brave and a leader. According to the text, “Salva hadn’t

seen him in at least two years, because uncle had been in the army.” In addition, “As they began walking,
Salva saw that uncle had a gun-a rifle that he carried on a strap over one shoulder. Already Salva could
tell that because of his army experience and because he had a gun, uncle was seen by the group as a kind
of leader.” This shows why Uncle Jewiir’s character traits would be brave and a leader. These are just a
couple of the reasons why Uncle Jewiir’s character traits are brave and a leader.

3. ​ (R) ​What do you infer happened to Marial? What is the evidence?
Marial got taken by a lion. According to the text, “As he opened his eyes, he heard wailing.

Someone was crying.” In addition, “Salva blinked away the sleepiness and looked at Uncle, whose face
was very solemn.” Also, “I am sorry, Salva. Your friend… Marial? A cold fist seemed to grip Salva’s
heart.” This shows why I infer Salva’s friend Marial got taken by a lion. These are just a couple reasons
why I infer Marial got taken by a lion.

In Nya’s part of the story her mom hated where she lived because she couldn’t bring anything with her and
she didn’t get a good home. In Salva’s part of the story he met his Uncle Jewiir and he ate and young topi
that his Uncle killed for the group with his rifle and then Salva vomited from eating the roasted topi. Salva
and his group with his friend Marial found a watering hole and then found a place to sleep. Uncle Jewiir
tapped on Salva to wake him up a bit and then Uncle Jewiir told Salva that “I’m sorry about you friend
Marial.” Salva was in fear because he thought that Marial was asleep next to him. Now Salva and his Uncle
Jewiir can’t find 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): Doing something over again

My sentence: I was C​ onstantly​ throwing the ball for my dog

2​ . Splotches (pg. 41): a little amount of something left behind

My sentence: I left a few ​Splotches​ of ketchup on the table

​3. Staggered (pg. 43): walk and about to fall

My sentence: I ​Staggered​ off the space mountain ride at disney

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) W​ hat do you think has made Akeer and so many others in Nya’s tribe sick? Explain why you think that.

​Akeer and the others in Nya’s tribe had the stomach flu. According to the text, “Nya knew many people who suffered from
the same illness. First cramps and stomach ache, then diarrhea. Sometimes fever, too.” In addition, “For the elderly and fro small
children, the illness could be dangerous. Unable to hold anything in their systems, many of them starved to death, even with food right
in front of them.” Also, “Most of the adults and older children who fell ill recovered at least enough to work again, although they
might continue to suffer off and on for years.” This shows why the flu is the illness that is making Akeer and the rest of her tribe sick.
These are just a couple of the reasons why the flu is the illness that is making Akeer and the rest of her tribe ill.

2. ​ (R) H​ ow has Marial’s disappearance changed Salva? Compare and contrast Salva before and after this
event.

Marial’s disappearance has affected Salva making him gloomy. According to the text, “But nothing was all right. He had
lost his family, and now he had lost his friend as well.” In addition, “And after that, Ethiopia. Salva’s eyes filled with tears.Marial had
been right about Ethiopia. How I wish he were here, so I could tell him I was wrong.” Also, “Salva lowered his head. He knew that
Uncle was teasing, but he felt so tired-tired of worrying about his family, tired of thinking about poor Marial, tired of walking and not

knowing where we're going. This shows why Marial’s disappearance had made Salva gloomy. These are just a couple of reasons why
Marial’s disappearance has made Salva gloomy.

3. What do you think the Nile River could symbolize? Explain your answer.
The Nile river symbolizes life and adventure. According to the text, “The Nile: the longest river in the

world, the mother of all life in Sudan. Uncle explained they would come to the river at one of its broadest
stretches.” In addition, “It will not even look like a river. It will look like a big lake. We will spend a long
time crossing to the other side.” This shows why the Nile river symbolizes life and adventure. These are
just a couple of the reasons why the Nile river symbolizes life and adventure.

In Nya’s part of the story her sister is sick and so is the rest of her tribe. In Salva’s part of the story he was
still gloomy over Marial’s disappearance. Salva was always near his uncle to keep safe. Salva, his uncle,
and the rest of the dinka tribe had to cross the Nile river and they had to make boats with lots of reed. Uncle
Jewiir was telling Salva that he would make sure he would kill any lion that comes to attack. At last Salva go
into a canoe with his uncle and another man and they floated out onto 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): Boring to look at
My sentence: Driving to Cleveland is so ​Monotonous​ that I slept the whole way there

​2. Abundance (pg. 47): Large amount or many of variety

My sentence: They have an ​Abundance​ of fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

3. Dismounted (pg. 48): Getting off of an object

My sentence: When I went to see my paw paw, he just D​ ismounted​ from his Motorcycle

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) W​ hy do you think the fisherman not share their food with the refugees? Explain your answer.

The fishermen don’t share their food with the refugees because they work hard paddling and catching fish to feed
themselves and want to have an everlasting amount of food so they never run out. According to the text, “It was the first place
in their weeks of walking that had an abundance of food.” In addition, “But even more impressive were the number of crops
they grew: cassava, sugar cane, yams…” This shows why the fishermen are trying to save food and work hard for it. These are
just a couple of the reasons why the fishermen don’t share their food with the refugees.

3. Predict: What do you think will happen to the group in the Akobo Desert? Why do you think that?
Salva and his group I think will get stranded in the Akobo desert and then run out of food and

water. I think this because the fishermen and the villagers only gave them a limited amount of food. I also
think this because the gourds won’t hold much water for them to drink when they are in the Akobo desert.
Some of the travellers have to use a piece of their clothing and that really won’t hold a large amount of
water.

In Nya’s part of the story she went to a doctor with her mom and Akeer to give Akeer medicine. It only took
two doses before Akeer was back to normal. She was still weak but she could laugh, talk, walk, and do
everything she could before. The doctor told Nya’s mom that Akeer could not drink the dirty water. Nya’s
mom would have to boil it and count to 200 seconds and then Akeer could drink it. In Salva’s part of the story
he thinks that the view from his canoe of the Nile River is boring and when they finally get off of the canoe
they find fishermen and villagers with a large amount of food. Uncle was the reason the fishermen and
villagers gave them food. Salva and his group had to witness a moment of horribleness. Salva and his tribe
had to go through tons of mosquitoes and when Salva woke up from his sleep he has mosquito bites
everywhere.

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): Never giving up and always keeps going

My sentence: She was R​ elentless​ about improving her basketball skills

2. Gored (pg. 52):Stabbed or pricked

My sentence: When I went outside I accidentally stepped on a thorn branch and it ​Gored​ my foot

​3. Precise (pg. 54): Exact amount

My sentence: When we were measuring are spinners, we had to be P​ recise

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​For what purpose do you think the visitors came to Nya’s village? What do you predict will
happen with the visitors?

The visitors came to Nya’s village because they wanted to make a clean water source for their
village. I think this because Nya’s village has absolutely no clean water and they have to drink dirty water
Nya brings back from her journeys to and from the watering hole.Also I think they are putting in a clean
water source is because some kids and other people in Nya’s village are sick and they are not aloud to
drink dirty water so they have to drink clean water.

2. ​ ​What does water symbolize in this chapter? Explain your answer.
​In chapter nine, water represents care and religion. According to the text, “Uncle cautioned him to

make the water in his gourd last as long as possible. It was the hardest thing for Salva had ever done,
taking only tiny sips when his body cried out for huge gulps of thirst-quenching, life-giving water.” In
addition, “One of the women in Salva’s group pushed forward and knelt down. She opened her container
of water. What are you doing? A man called out. You cannot save them! The woman did not answer.
When she looked up, Salva could see the tears in her eyes. She shook her head then poured a little bit of
water onto a cloth and began to wet the lips of one of the men on the sand.” This shows why water

symbolizes care and magic. These are just a couple of the reasons why water symbolizes care and
religion.
3. (​ R) ​Why 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?

The women gives the dying men water because she thought he had a chance to live. According to
the text, “The women did not answer. When she looked up Salva could see tears in her eyes.” In addition,
“She shook her head, then poured a little water onto a cloth and began to wet the lips of one of the men on
the sand.” This show why the woman thought she could save the dying man on the sand. These are just a
couple of reasons why the woman gave the dying men water.

In Nya’s part of the story she asked her brother Dep what the two men asked the biggest kids. In Salva’s part
of the story he was wearing sandals made of the rubber from tire treads and now it just reduced to shreds
held together with a bit of leather and lots of hope. After a few minutes Salva had to take them off and now
his feet were going to feel the pain of rocks and thorns all the way across the Akobo desert. Salva also
stubbed his toe on a rock and his nail came off. He started crying and he couldn’t see that the group was
ways in front of him until his uncle came and gave him some sweet fruit and that made Salva feel better
about walking. Eventually Salva and his uncle caught up with his group and his group stopped right in front
of nine me laying on the ground. Five men were completely motionless. A woman bent down and opened her
water container and put a little on a cloth and dabbed it on a dying mens chapped lips.

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): Came back to life

M​ y sentence: When I took the worm outside I squeezed him on accident but R​ evived​ himself

2​ . Ravaged (pg. 59): destroyed

M​ y sentence: A goose was hit by a car and some birds ravaged it’s body for food.

3​ . Receding (pg. 61) : losing ground

​My sentence: A lot of trees were destroyed by the tornado causing the woods to recede.

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  H​ ow do you think the visitors will find water in the spot between the trees when Nya has never seen
any water there before?

The visitors believe they will find water in a spot have way between the trees. I think this because
maybe the roots don’t go out that far and the water might collect on the ground. The roots would pull
more water from the ground if they were closer to the water spot in the middle of the trees, so this proves
that the visitors will find water in a spot way between the trees.

2.​  ​Salva 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.

​ Salva wouldn’t have given the dying men water if he were older because Salva knew that without
water people can’t survive the walk in the desert. His Uncle Jewiir told Salva to not give his water away
because he would die without it. If Salva gave the dying men water, he wouldn’t have enough water for
himself and he would be the one to die.

3​ . (​ R) W​ hy did the strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle? What do you think was their purpose for
doing this?

The strangers rob the group and shoot Uncle because uncle would try to shoot the robbers and
they took some of their clothing because they could sell the clothing and get money to buy food.
According to the text, “When the men had finished their looting, they picked up Uncle’s gun. Then they
walked to the tree where Uncle was tied up.” In addition, “Then the men moved among the group. If
anyone was carrying a bag, the men opened it and took whatever was in it. They ordered some people to
remove their clothing and took that, too.” This shows why the strangers robbed the grouped and shot
Uncle. These are just a couple of reasons why the strangers robbed the group and shot Uncle.

In Nya’s part of the story she overheard the visitors talking about finding water in between the trees in the
back of her Uncle’s house. In Salva’s part of the story three women saved four men by helping them with
water. The other five men they couldn’t save because they were completely motionless. Uncle would keep
telling Salva how important it was to conserve his water and make it last because he doesn’t have a lot of it.
The group saw six people walking toward them and the six people yelled to get down on your knees and put
your hands on your heads.The strangers robbed Salva and his group of clothing Uncle’s gun and thy shot
Uncle Jewiir.

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): Pull something out of the ground

My sentence: I ​Uprooted​ the pink flower in the backyard to take it with me to my new house

2. Mourn (pg. 65): Cry and Sad thoughts
My sentence: I ​Mourned​ all day when my fish died because I loved him

3. Emaciated (pg. 68): Weak
My sentence: After the BasketBall game I was so ​Emaciated

P​ ART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) W​ hy does Salva feel stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death?
​Salva feels stronger, bolder, able to go on after his uncle’s death because his Uncle gave him the

strength and advice to stay strong and conserve water be a leader and take control. According to the text,
“Uncle Jewiir must have guessed what he was thinking. No, Salva, he murmured. You are too small, and
not strong enough yet. Without water you will not survive the rest of the walk. Some of the others-they
will be able to manage better than you.” In addition, “Uncle shared his food with Salva-a piece of sugar
cane to suck on right away, then fish that they cooked over a fire and yams roasted in the ashes.” This
shows why Salva is more confident and able to go on without his uncle. These are just a couple of reasons
why Slav feels stronger, bolder, and able to go on after his uncle’s death.

2. ​ C​ ompare and contrast Salva’s reaction to Marial’s death to his reaction to his uncle’s death.
​Salva was very upset over both, Uncle and Marial’s deaths but Salva handled Uncle’s death better that

Marial’s death. I only think that Salva handled Uncle’s death better was because his Uncle had already
given Salva so much confidence that Salva was able to keep going and not have an emotional break
down. When Marial Died Salva was so sad and he missed Marial so much. Salva wished that Marial
wouldn’t have to feel pain. This shows why Salva handled Uncle’s death better and Marial’s death worse.

3. ​ (R) ​How does Salva’s interactions with the group change after Uncle’s death? Why?
Salva’s interactions with the group become less interactive and more begging for food. According

to the text, “Now that Salva was without Uncle’s care and protection, the group’s attitude toward him
changed. Once again, they grumbled that he was too young and small, that he might slow them down or
start crying again, as he had in the desert.” In addition, “No one shared anything with him nor company.

Uncle had always shared the animals and birds he shot with everyone in the group. But it seemed they
had all forgotten that, for Salva now had to beg for scraps, which were given grudgingly.” This shows
why Salva and his group have become less interactive and Salva literally has to beg for food. These are
just a couple reasons why Salva’s interactions with the group are less interactive and Salva has to beg for
food.

In Nya’s part of the story the visitors were burning other bushes and uprooting other plants around the
around the water spot. In Salva’s part of the story he and his group buried Uncle two feet deep in a hole for
respect. Everyone mourned all day and then after that everyone would say Salva is too small and he might
cry again like he did in the desert or he will slow us down. Salva didn’t listen to them and he was very
confident from what Uncle used to tell him. Now that Uncle wasn’t around with his gun and shooting food out
of the sky, Salva had to beg for food. This made Salva hungry but he was strong about it.

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): Move quickly or Traveled through out

M​ y sentence: Whenever there was a new kid in school, the rumors about him/her were S​ kittered​ around

school

​2. Torrents (pg. 74): Fast moving water
​My sentence: It was raining hard and it was raining in T​ orrents

3​ . Merciless (pg. 75): Show no mercy

M​ y sentence: I was ​Merciless​ to my sister after she annoyed me the whole car ride home

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  ​How does Salva change and grow as a character this chapter? What causes this change to happen?
S​ alva does change and grow throughout this chapter by being 11 and then six years later turn 17 years

old. Another thing that changed Salva was when his uncle told him, According to the text, “Uncle’s
words came back to him: The village of Loun Ariik was attacked...burned. Few people survived...no one
knows where they are now.” In addition, “His family was gone. They had been killed by bullets or
bombs, starvation or sickness-it did not matter how.What mattered was that Salva on his own now.” Also,
“How can I go on without them? But how can I not go on? They would want me to survive...to grow up
and make something of my life...to honor their memories.” This shows evidence for why I think Salva has
changed. These are just a couple of reasons why Salva has changed and grown throughout this chapter.

2.​  (R) W​ hat is the mood at the end of the chapter? Cite words and phrases from the text that support this
mood.

The mood at the end of chapter 12 is worry. According to the text, “Salva knew which river they
meant: The Gilo River, which was along the border between Ethiopia and Sudan. Salva sounded worried
when he said this. In addition, “They are driving us back to Sudan, Salva thought.They will force us to
cross the river…. Also, “It was the rainy season. Swollen by the rains, the Gilo’s current would be
merciless. The Gilo was well known for something else, too. Crocodiles. This shows evidence for why
the mood is worried. These are just a couple of reasons why the mood of chapter 12 is worried.

3. ​ ​What do you predict will happen at the Gilo River? Explain.
When Salva and the soldiers reach the Gilo River, I have a feeling the crocodiles will come out and

the crocodiles would make the travelers worried about going across the river. According to the text, “The
Gilo was well known for something else, too. Crocodiles. This proves my thought of why there my be
crocodiles and why they might make the travelers worried about crossing the river. These are just a
couple of reasons why the crocodiles will come out at the Gilo River.

In Nya’s part of the story people were bringing tools and shoveling up gravel. The gravel pile would grow
each day. In Salva’s part of the story he realizes his whole family died somehow in Sudan. Salva didn’t think
the way they died mattered. Salva spent the next six years in a refugee camp. When Salva was 17
everybody in the refugee camp had to leave and that’s all the camp talked about. Salva thought that the
soldiers were going to take him across the border between Ethiopia and Sudan. Then Salva knew where
they were going. It was across a river. Across the Gilo River. The Gilo River was known for crocodiles.

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): Poking and Pushing

My sentence: My brother was ​Prodding ​me to give him back his toy

2. Plagued (pg. 80): Pester

My sentence: When my friend touched the beehive she got ​Plagued​ with bees

3. Scavenge (pg. 81): Search for something to collect

My sentence: When I was at my grandma’s house for Easter, we ​Scavenged​ for easter eggs

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1.​  (R) ​What 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.

Water symbolizes Hope to Nya. Water symbolizes danger to Salva. According to the text, “Nya
that it was funny: You have to have water to find water. Water had to be flowing constantly into the
borehole to keep the drill running smoothly.” In addition, “Then Salva saw the telltale flick of a
crocodile’s as it flopped into the water near the young man. Moments later, the man’s head jerked
oddly-once, twice. His mouth was open. Perhaps he was screaming, but Salva could not hear him over the
din of the crowd and the rain…. A moment later, the man was pulled under. A cloud of rain stained the
water.” One comparison between water symbolizing and hope and danger would be, being in danger
leads to hope sometimes and hope could be dangerous as well. Salva had hope to make it across the river
and it was dangerous, but he made it. For Nya, it could be dangerous with the drills and trying to put new,
clean water in there, but she has hope for the water to be clean and able for Akeer to drink. One. contrast
would be hope can sometimes be the complete opposite of danger and sometimes danger can be the
complete opposite of hope. This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why water symbolizes hope
for Nya and that water symbolizes danger for Salva.

2. ​ (R) ​Salva faced many dangers in this chapter. Of them all, which do you consider to be the most
dangerous? Explain your answer.

T​ he most dangerous event Salva faced was crossing the river of crocodile’s and shooting soldiers
to get to Kenya. According to the text, “Salva had no choice. He jumped into the water and began to
swim. A boy next to him grabbed him around his neck and clung to him tightly. Salva was forced under
the surface without time to take more than a quick, shallow breath.” The boy let go of Salva. In addition,
“When his vision cleared, he saw why the boy had let go: He was floating with his head down, blood
streaming from a bullet hole in the back of his neck.” Also, “More crocodiles were launching themselves
off the banks. The rain, the mad current, the bullets, the crocodiles, the welter of arms and legs, the
screams, the blood….He had to get across somehow. This shows and these are just a couple of reasons
why of many of the dangers Salva faced in this chapter, this was the danger that was the most dangerous.
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 this chapter would be confidence. According to the text,
“Salva made up his mind. He would walk south, to Kenya. He did not know what he would find once he
got there, but it seemed to be his best choice. Crowds of other boys followed him. Nobody talked about it,
but by the end of the first day Salva had become the leader of a group of about fifteen hundred boys.
Some were as young as five years old.” In addition, “But in the darkness, it was hard to be sure they were
headed in the right direction. Sometimes the boys traveled for days only to realize that they had gone in a
huge circle. This happened so many times that Salva lost count.” This shows and these are just a couple
of reasons why Salva’s character in the second half of this chapter was confidence.

In Nya’s part of the story she that it was funny that to find water you have to have water. She watched the big
bag of water spring a leak and then they patch it up and then it springs a leak again and then they have to fix
it again. In Salva’s part of the story he goes across the river to Kenya and has to face watching people die by
crocodiles or soldiers shooting trying to cross the river and get to the other side. When Salva jumped into the
water and boy held on to Salva’s neck and then Salva went under the surface without a breath and then the
boy suddenly let go of Salva and fell in the water. The boy had been shot in the back of the head by a
soldier. Once Salva managed to get out of the water he led about fifteen hundred boys to Kenya because
Kenya was his best choice.

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): Walked slowly
My sentence: My slowly ​Drifted​ down the stairs, past my room
2. Isolated (pg. 84): Far away from any other buildings
My sentence: When we went to The Wilds, it was I​ solated​ in the Country part of Ohio
3. Misery (pg. 84): Distress and Discomfort
My sentence: It was pure ​Misery​ while we were camping for another month we have already stayed there
two months

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 predict the visitors will fix the brown, muddy water by cleaning it before the people in Nya’s village

are able to drink it and maybe the visitors will purify the water. I think this because the visitors never said
they were done making the dirty water new water so they aren’t done yet. I also think this because the
visitors won’t come to Nya’s village and make a pipe to make it easier for the to get water without
making the water somewhat clean.
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) ​Does 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.

Salva doesn’t feel as hopeful in this chapter as he did in the last chapter. According to the text,
“Once again, Salva and a few other young men walked for months. But when they reached the camp at
Ifo, they found that thing were no different than at Kakuma. Everyone was always hungry, and there was
never enough food.” In addition, “But there was no work. There was nothing to do but wait-wait for the
next meal, for news of the world outside the camp. The days were long and empty. They stretched into
weeks, then months, then years. It was hard to keep hope alive when there was so little to feed it.” This
hopefulness sort of compares to the journey to the camps because he had the same amount of hope in this
chapter that he had in the second half of the last chapter. Salva had enough hope to believe he could do
anything to survive, get where he needs to be, find fifteen hundred boys shelter and food and anything
else they could need. This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why Salva doesn’t feel as hopeful
in this chapter as he did in the last chapter.

In Nya’s part of the story her village for three days was filled with the sound of drills at work. Everyone also
cheered at the sight of new water. Nya frowned though because she thought the water would come out clean
but the water came out brown and muddy. In Salva’s part of the story he was 22 years old and for five years
he was living in refugee camps. He moved from the Kakuma refugee camp to the Ifo refugee camp, but it
turned out that the camps were almost identical. Salva left Kakuma because everyone would be starving and
have nothing to do and would wait for the next meal to come and that was it. Salva also wanted to make a
little money, but there were no jobs for him to do that. One day the Ifo refugee camp announced 3,000
refugees would be taken out of the camp and transported to America. If you were sick you weren’t allowed to
be transported. You also had to be healthy. Salva swore his name wasn’t going to be on the list. One
afternoon, one of the men that was teaching Salva told him to look a list because his name was on there.
Salva didn’t believe the man. When Salva got over there he saw, Salva Dut-New York.

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): Think something is something else instead

My sentence: I feel like the teacher will M​ isunderstand​ my writing since its so messy
2. Lumbered (pg. 92): Awkward movement

My sentence: When I was walking through the hallway I L​ umbered​ because I sprained my ankle
3. Abruptly (pg. 94): Suddenly without knowing
My sentence: I ​Abruptly​ woke up somehow
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.

​An example of a simile can be found on page 93. and It states, “Cars crawled
along the roads like ants in a line.” It is comparing Cars to ants in a line.
An example of a simile can be found on page 92. and It states, “Somehow it did-not
like a bird lifting off lightly with a quick flapping of wings, but with shrieks and
roars from the engines as the plane lumbered down the long runway, as if it had to
try as hard as it could to get into the air.” It is comparing a bird lifting off lightly
and taking one quick flapping of wings to a lumbering plane with the engine roaring
and shrieking.

In Nya’s part of the story the visitors still had many days they needed to finish up making a new place for
new, clean water to go in. The kids in Nya’s village really wanted a drink, but their mothers wouldn’t let them.
In Salva’s part of the story he gets handed a few clothes to start out with and then the pile keeps getting
bigger and bigger and he is confused on why he needs so many clothes. Salva had to take three plane
flights. The first flight he had Coca Cola and the landing was horrible. The Second flight he remembered to
hold onto the seat belt to save himself from going forward. The last flight, Salva reached his new family in
Rochester, New York. Salva was so worried his new family wouldn’t like him. When he met his family he had
a dad named Chris, a mom name Louise, and four siblings and Salva was happy to see he would have
siblings. His new family of course gave him more clothes such as a puffy coat, a hat, and gloves. Once Salva
stepped out of the airport, he began a new life in America.

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): Uncertain

My sentence: It was ​Vague​ idea of hers to take a new puppy to meet a baby kitten

2. Notion (pg. 100): Belief

My sentence: In Girl Scouts we had many N​ otions​ about people leaving pets to suffer

3. Remote (pg. 100): Distant

My sentence: When we were going to Europe, I thought they were lying when they said they would fly us
to the ​Remote​ part of Europe

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.
It is so difficult for Salva to return to Africa to see his father because he has to go through lots of

paperwork and this is the first time in years Salva is going to be seeing his dad. According to the text,
“Salva immediately began planning travel to Sudan. But with the war still raging, it was very difficult to
make the arrangements. He had to get permits, fill out dozens of forms, and organize plane flights and car
transport in region where there were no airports or roads.” In addition, “ At times, Salva felt almost frantic
at the delays and frustrations. What if my father leaves the hospital without telling anyone where he is
going? What if I get there too late? I will never be able to find him again….” This shows and these are just
a couple of reasons why filling out tons of paperwork and seeing his father for the first time in many years
is making it difficult for Salva to return to Africa.

In Nya’s part of the story everyone smiled at the look at water spraying out. The villagers gathered near
Nya’s house with tools and began clearing land. In Salva’s part of the story he was living in Rochester for
about a month now. Salva was getting better at speaking and understanding English. One afternoon, one of
Salva’s cousins sent Salva and email saying his father was in a hospital in Sudan. Salva was very excited to
see his father. Salva also had to get tons of permits and go through tons of paperwork to get to Sudan and
see his father once more. Once Salva reached the hospital his father was at, he asked a woman where a
patient Mawien Dut Ariik was.

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): Forcefully

My sentence: I was S​ cything​ the corn as hard as I could to make it break

2. Haze (pg. 106): Confusion

My sentence: It was a H​ aze​ trying to think through the moments of when I was a baby

3. Trembling (pg. 109): Shaking

My sentence: I was T​ rembling​ after I got off the fast roller coaster

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

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

O​ ne trait to describe Salva in this chapter would be caring because he is caring to do something
for the people of Sudan. According to the text, “And idea came to him-an idea of what he might be able
to do to help the people of Sudan. Could he do it? It would take so much work! Perhaps it would be too
difficult. But how would he know unless he tried?” In addition, “A year passed, then two...then three.
Salva spoke to hundreds of people-in churches, at civic organizations, in schools. Would he ever be able
to turn his idea into reality? This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why one of Salva’s traits
for this chapter is caring.

2. ​ ​What do you predict Salva’s project for South Sudan will be?
I​ feel that Salva’s project will be making water wells for Southern Sudan. There are a couple of

reasons why I think this. According to the text, “An idea came to him-an idea of what he might be able to
do to help the people of Sudan. Could he do it? It would take so much work! Perhaps it would be too
difficult. But how would he know unless he tried.” This lets us think of the needs of the people of Sudan.
One of their biggest needs is wells for water including clean, clear water. This shows and this is a reasons
why Salva’s project is to build well of clean water for the people of Sudan.

3. ​ (R) H​ ow do you infer Salva feels about speaking in front of an audience? Cite two pieces of evidence
from the text that supports this.

Salva feels very nervous about speaking in front of an audience. According to the text, “About a
hundred people had come to hear him. There was a microphone at the front of the room. Salva’s knees
were shaking as he walked to the mike. He knew that his English was still not very good. What if he
made mistakes in pronunciation? What if the audience couldn’t understand him.” In addition, “Salva
spoke into the microphone. H-h-hello, he said. At the moment, something went wrong with the sound
system. The speakers behind him let out a dreadful screech. Salva jumped and almost dropped the mike.”

This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why Salva feels nervous about speaking in front of an
audience.

In Nya’s part of the story she guess’s what the villagers were building next to the water well. They were
building a school. Nya was so lucky and thankful for being able to be going to a school even if it’s not the
nicest. In Salva’s part of the story he meets his father for the first time in years. Salva’s father was so happy
in joy to see Salva alive and not think he was no longer alive. While Salva was on the plane ride back home
to Rochester, he thought of an idea to help the people in Sudan. Salva has to get money from people to
support his idea and to turn it into reality. Salva had to stand in front of many audiences and the first time he
stood in front of an audience, he almost dropped the mike. Whenever Salva got stuck on one problem, he
would think of his uncle’s words.

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): Disagreement
My sentence: At the Lantern show, there were tons of D​ isputes​ about food and how it should be put up
2. Maintaining (pg. 113): Control
My sentence: I was M​ aintaining​ the dog while my dad was packing the car
3. Assumed (pg. 114): Supposed to be
My sentence: My sister ​Assumed​ that I ate her chocolate bar without letting me tell my story

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ (R) ​How have the volunteers creating one well transformed the lives of the villagers? Give at least
three different positive effects of the new well.

T​ he volunteers have transformed the lives of villagers by creating one well to help them with
their very big need in Sudan where there is absolutely no clean, clear water and giving them a pump and
the boss of workers was Dinka and equally giving the villagers what they need. According to the text,
“She stepped aside to let the next person fill a bottle. Then she drank. The water was delicious. It wasn’t
warm or muddy, like the water from the pond. It was cool and clear.” This evidence states the volunteers
transformed lives by giving them clean, clear water. In addition, “Then he began moving the pump
handle. Up and down, up and down...A stream of water flowed from the mouth of the pump. Nya held her
bottle underneath the pump mouth. The bottle filled up quickly.” This evidence states the volunteers
transformed lives by giving the villagers and easier way to collect water from a pump and not going to a
pond and getting dirty water that makes everyone sick. Also, “She drank a few more sips, then glanced
around. Everyone had a bottle or cup. They were drinking that lovely water, or waiting in line for more,
or talking and laughing. It was a celebration.” Last, “ Dep saw her looking at the man. That man, the boss
of workers, Dep said. You know he is Dinka? Nya looked at Dep in astonishment.” This evidence states
the volunteers transformed lives by also giving Nya’s village equally their share of what they need and
the boss of workers is Dinka and Dinka and Nuer fight all the time, but the boss wanted to help everyone
who needed clean, clear water. This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why the volunteers
transformed lives by giving the villagers clean, clear water, a pump, equally giving them their share, and
the boss of workers was Dinka.

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?

N​ ya’s and Salva’s stories intersect and come together in this chapter because Salva and his workers
came and made Nya’s village a well full of clean, clear water. The author probably chose to tell the story
this way because Salva really wanted to help people in Sudan and I mean anywhere in Sudan. A couple
years later Salva has a business called water for Sudan. Salva in that last year comes to Nya’s village and
that’s when the intersecting begins. Nya didn’t even know who Salva was and she also didn’t know why a
person from a Dinka tribe is helping people from the Nuer tribe. These are just a couple of my reasons
why the author chose to tell the story this way.

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

In this chapter, Nya finally gets to taste clean, clear water for the first time. The volunteers really helped Nya
and her village out with getting clean water and an easier way to collect water. Dep told Nya that the boss of
all the workers was Dinka. Nya looked at Dep in astonishment. Nya didn’t know why the boss of the workers
was Dinka because the Nuer and Dinka tribes would always fight about things and men, women, and
children would get hurt. Nya went over to say thank you to the boss of workers for giving her village the
water they needed. The boss said hello. Then Nya couldn’t find her words and it made it tough but she could
finally say it. Thank you she said, thank you for bringing the water. The man smiled, what is your name. Nya,
she said. I am happy to meet you, Nya, he said. My name is Salva. That was the first time that Salva and
Nya met.

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): No difficulty

My sentence: It took me P​ erseverance​ when I was doing my layup drill in basketball practice

2. Depicted (pg. 118): Described

My sentence: When were making the Daddy daughter dance form, it all D​ epicted​ on what the food was,
what to wear, and the theme of the dance

3. Languished (pg. 118): Unpleasant place remaining in

My sentence: When we went to Australia, it was a ​Languished​ place to visit because of the landscape and
weather

PART 2: READING QUESTIONS

1. ​ ​Are you satisfied with how the book ended? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended it
differently?

​I am satisfied with how the book ended. One of the reasons why I am satisfied with how the book
ended was even though I didn’t exactly like how Salva and Nya just met at the end and then the book was
over, but it was better than Salva or Nya dying and not getting to meet each other at all. The second
reason why I am satisfied with how the book ended was that it was joyful that Nya was getting to drink
clean and clear water and it was also joyful because Salva got to make Sudan a better place and feel like
he helped the community enormously. These are just a couple of the reasons why I am satisfied with how
the book ended.

2.​  D​ o you think there will ever be peace in Sudan? Why or why not? Explain.
​I feel that there will soon be peace in Sudan and all the fighting will stop. One of the reasons why I

think this is because Salva said he would give all of the people in Sudan water even Nuer tribes. The Nuer
and Dinka tribes used to fight all the time so since Salva gave a Nuer tribe a water well, Nuer and Dinka
tribes may no longer fight all the time. The second reason why I think there will be peace in Sudan is
because all the fighting with the bombs and the guns happened when Salva was 11 in Sudan. Salva is now
22 and for 11 years there had been no case of there being an attacked area with bombs and guns in Sudan.
These are just a couple of my reasons why there will soon be peace in Sudan and all the fighting will stop.

3. ​ (R) W​ hat do you feel the theme/message of the book is? Explain your answer thoroughly.
The theme/message of “A Long Walk To Water”, would be, “To protect those who are not able to

protect themselves is a duty which everyone owes to society.” According to the text, “Salva made up his
mind. He would walk south, to Kenya. He did not know what he would find once he got there, but it
seemed to be his best choice. Crowds of other boys followed him. Nobody talked about it, but at the end
of the first day Salva had become the leader of a group of about fifteen hundred boys. Some were as
young as five years old.” This reason states that Salva took care of that many boys as they had their long
journey to Kenya. In addition, “The water was delicious. It wasn’t warm or muddy, like the water from
the pond. It was cool and clear.” Also, “ And she found her voice. Thank you, she said, and looked up at
him bravely. Thank you for bringing the water. The man smiled. What is your name? He asked. I am Nya.
I am happy to meet you Nya, he said. My name is Salva.” These two reasons state Salva giving and
helping the society by building Nya’s village a water well and for giving her village cups to drink with.
This shows and these are just a couple of reasons why the theme/ message of “A Long Walk To Water”
is, “To protect those who are not able to protect themselves is a duty which everyone owes to society.”

In the authors note, Linda Sue Park explains that all of the major events that happened in this book are true
events that happened to Salva when he was a certain age. The conflict that was depicted in the book
happened in 1983. Millions of people in that war were killed, imprisoned, tortured, kidnapped, or enslaved.
As of Spring of 2014, Salva and his Water for Sudan company have drilled about 250 water wells for Sudan.