A Long Walk to Water

A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park

This chapter book is based on the true story of two young people, struggling to survive in their circumstances in Sudan. Nya is a young girl who fetches water for her family every day, and makes an eight hour walk each day to do so. Salva has fled his war-torn village and is on a journey to find a safe place to settle. In this historical fiction piece, told in two different "parallel stories," the setting has a huge impact on the lives of Salva (1985) and Nya (2008).  Click HERE to listen to the author and her friend, Salva, discuss the truths behind the story. 

Author Linda Sue Park manages to show the inner strength and mindset of these two strong individuals living in different generations, but facing similar struggles around water. The constant self-talk and personal determination was inspiring to me. "One step at a time. One problem at a time -- just figure out this one problem." (p. 110) The theme of hope is woven throughout the text, throughout the tales of these two youngsters. In fact, at times, I believe it is what keeps these young survivors going from day to day, step by step. However, the hope alone was another struggle -- to hope or not to hope? On page 89 Park describes Salva's inner battle with hope, "He tried not to lose hope. At the same time, he tried not to hope too much. Sometimes he felt he was being torn in two by the hoping and the not hoping." But for the majority of the book, it was as if the walking alone gave a steady purpose. Each step was a sign of hope away from danger, or towards somewhere safer. 

Because A Long Walk to Water takes on two different time periods (1980's war-torn Sudan and 2008 village life) I was able to gain a deeper understanding of Sudanese culture, then and now. The book shares some of the customs and rituals of the Dinka and Nuer tribes, and explains their historical differences as well. Although all Sudanese, the different tribes do not all share the same beliefs. Different scar markings indicate tribal affiliations. But honestly, I found myself wanting to know even more about these two different cultures -- the lives of Nya and Salva inspired me to expand my own knowledge of a different country in Sudan. It is not enough to have travelled to Kenya this past summer, this book sparked an interest in life in Sudan. There is much to be learned about the lives of the Lost Boys, but also of Sudanese culture then and now. 

Traditional Dinka markings

Traditional Nuer markings

Just a few of the Lost Boys "survivors," -- years later.

From this story I have learned to treasure the gifts that come so easily to me -- like running water and the many conveniences in my life. Simple things like having the freedom to drive, the freedom to practice my own religious beliefs, the freedom to walk if I choose. In fact, I will choose walking more often now.

Want to know more about Salva and the history of the Lost Boys? Click HERE.
Check out this 60 Minutes video that follows the Lost Boys. Click HERE.
Watch The Lost Boys documentary on iTunes. For more information, click HERE.
Learn more from these Blendspace activities. Click HERE.