Summary
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is a book for young readers telling the intertwined stories of two Sudanese children. Set against the backdrop of the Second Sudanese Civil War, the novel uses a dual narrative, alternating between the true story of Salva Dut, starting in 1985, and the fictional account of Nya, starting in 2008. Salva, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, escapes conflict and hardship. Nya, a serious young girl, undertakes daily journeys to fetch water. Their stories converge to reveal the significant impact of clean water while emphasizing the power of human perseverance and the possibility for empathy and change.
Plot
A Long Walk to Water follows the stories of Salva Dut and Nya, set in different timelines. In 1985, Salva's journey begins when civil war erupts in his South Sudanese village. Separated from his family, Salva joins other refugees and faces dangers, including the loss of his friend Marial, who is suspected to have been killed by a lion. Salva receives guidance from Uncle Jewiir, whose leadership gives hope until his untimely death.
Salva leads a group across the Akobo desert, where they share limited resources with those near death. After arriving at a refugee camp in Ethiopia, Salva eventually leads the Lost Boys to Kenya and later resettles in the U.S. In 2003, he returns to Sudan to help build wells, intersecting with Nya's life.
Nya's story unfolds in 2008, detailing her efforts to collect water. Her situation improves with a new well in her village, a project led by Salva. This development not only provides clean water but also reduces tribal tensions, connecting their stories with themes of hope and change.
Characters
Salva Dut: An 11-year-old boy from the Dinka tribe, Salva is the central figure in the book and a real person. He represents the experiences of South Sudan's Lost Boys. Through perseverance, he later founds Water for South Sudan, an organization that provides clean water to South Sudanese communities.
Nya: A fictional young girl from the Nuer tribe who, in 2008, walks daily to fetch unsafe water. Her life changes when a well is installed in her village. This connects her story to Salva's real-world efforts.
Uncle Jewiir: A former Sudanese army member who supports Salva on his journey to Ethiopia.
Marial: A refugee and friend to Salva who vanishes and is presumed to have been killed by a lion. This incident underscores the dangers the young refugees face.
Akeer: Nya’s sister, who becomes ill from contaminated water. This situation highlights the crucial need for clean water in their community.
Michael: An Irish aid worker who teaches Salva English, which helps him relocate to the United States and transforms his life.
Chris and Louise: Salva’s adoptive parents in the United States.
Mawien Dut Ariik: Salva’s father, who is presumed dead but later found alive. His survival signifies hope and the possibility of family reconciliation amid conflict.
Setting
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is primarily set during the Second Sudanese Civil War, which occurred from 1983 to 2005. This conflict began when Sudan's northern government attempted to enforce Islamic Shari'a law, ending the south's autonomy established in 1972. The war resulted in the deaths of between one and two million civilians and displaced millions more, including over 20,000 Lost Boys who fled their homes.
Salva Dut, the book's central figure, represents resilience amid turmoil. At 11, he experiences violence when his village is attacked. His journey involves survival and despair. He witnesses the murder of his Uncle Jewiir and navigates landscapes afflicted by hunger, thirst, and conflict. The stories of Salva and Nya intersect, demonstrating the impact of war and the spirit of those who endure its challenges.
Themes
A Long Walk to Water explores themes of survival, hope, and perseverance through the experiences of Salva Dut and Nya in Southern Sudan.
Survival is central in both stories. Salva joins refugees fleeing civil war to Ethiopia, learning that survival often requires prioritizing safety. Initially, fearful adults hesitate to help him. Nya’s daily, arduous trips for water highlight her community's ongoing struggle in a resource-scarce environment.
Hope serves as a sustaining force during hardship. Salva draws strength from memories of his family and his uncle's support, which instills confidence in him. This hope nurtures Salva’s journey from a refugee to an activist working for a promising future.
Perseverance is evident in Salva's journey. He faces challenges, including desert crossings and dangerous encounters, yet continues moving forward. His determination leads to the establishment of a nonprofit organization that provides clean water to Sudanese villages. This outcome demonstrates that perseverance can drive significant change and resilience.
Real impact of Salva Dut
Salva Dut transitioned from a refugee known as a "Lost Boy" in war-torn Sudan to a founder of transformative initiatives in his homeland. After relocating to the United States, learning English, and obtaining higher education, Salva established Water for South Sudan (WFSS), a nonprofit organization aimed at addressing the country's water crisis. WFSS has drilled over 349 borehole wells, providing clean water to more than 400,000 people. Access to clean water reduces health issues related to waterborne diseases and improves life quality, especially for women and children who previously spent hours fetching water. WFSS also trains local South Sudanese staff, fostering sustainable practices and resource upkeep. Salva's efforts embody the themes of hope and perseverance found in A Long Walk to Water.
Quick facts
A Long Walk to Water intertwines the stories of two Sudanese children—a boy in 1985 and a girl in 2008.
The book is based on the true story of Salva Dut, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.
Salva Dut founded the nonprofit organization Water for South Sudan, dedicated to drilling wells, improving the lives of many villagers.
A Newbery Medal-winning author and daughter of Korean immigrants, Linda Sue Park was inspired to write the book by her meetings and interviews with the real Salva Dut.
The novel's dual narrative highlights the extreme hardships faced by Sudanese children, including armed conflict and wildlife dangers.
Nya's fictional journey emphasizes daily water struggles and how clean water transforms her village.
Salva Dut was adopted by an American family after years in refugee camps.
Themes of hope, perseverance, and survival are central throughout the book.
A Long Walk to Water received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly.
A Long Walk to Water won the 2011 Jane Addams Children's Book Award.
The book's title alludes to Nelson Mandela's autobiography, A Long Walk to Freedom.
The audiobook is performed by two narrators, David Baker and Cynthia Bishop, with insights from dialect coach James Achueil.
The stories of Salva and Nya converge meaningfully by the book's conclusion.
About the author
Linda Sue Park (1960-) is an American author of novels for young readers. She published her first novel, Seesaw Girl, in 1999. She won the prestigious Newbery Medal for her novel A Single Shard in 2002. The daughter of Korean immigrants, Park often integrates diverse cultural traditions and histories into her stories. Her novel A Long Walk to Water (2010) is based on Salva Dut, a Sudanese Lost Boy who started a new life in the United States and founded Water for South Sudan (WFSS), a nonprofit organization aimed at addressing the country's water crisis. After meeting with Salva, who became a family friend, and reading his memoir, Park decided to depict his journey in her book. Park loved to read from a very young age and began writing stories and poems when she was in elementary school. She competed on the gymnastics team at Stanford University where she graduated with a degree in English. She also obtained advanced degrees in literature from Trinity College in Ireland and from the University of London. She lives in Rochester, New York.
