This mesmerizing dial narrative follows two threads--one unfolding in 2008
and one in 1985--with one hopeful message: that even in a troubled country,
determined survivors may find the future they are hoping for.
Minnesota State Standards met by this reading guide:
8.4.1.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what
the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
8.4.3.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama
propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Chapter 1
Why do you think it is Nya’s job to go get the water?
What was Salva’s life like before he was sent to school?
Provide a quote of 10 words or less to support your answer to the previous
question.
Page number:
Quote:
Chapter 2
Why does Salva try to join the group of men?
How does Salva feel about being alone? Does Nya seem to feel the same way?
Chapter 3
What is the pond that Nya stops at like? How is this different to the setting in
Salva’s story?
Chapter 4
How often does Nya go to get water from the pond? Why do you think this is?
Why does Salva almost get left behind once again?
On page 23, Salva feels that “nothing [is] real except his hunger, once a hollow in
his stomach but now a deep buzzing pain in every part of him” (Park). How might
this ​foreshadow​, or predict, what happens at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 5
What do you learn about Nya that makes her different from Salva?
How long has Salva been walking?
Who do you think called Salva’s name at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 6
Why is Nya’s mother worried when her son goes off to hunt? How is this similar to
Salva’s fears?
Who was it that called Salva’s name? Was your prediction correct?
Chapter 7
What decision does Nya and her family have to make? What are the potential
consequences?
What happened to Salva’s friend, Marial?
Look at the map at the beginning of the book, and think about all that has happened
to Salva so far. What sort of qualities will he need in order to survive the rest of his
journey?
Chapter 8
What was wrong with the water that Akeer drank? Why is this danger so difficult
to avoid?
What good things do Salva and his group get on the island? How does their luck
change when night falls?
Chapter 9
What do you think the visitors in the jeep want?
While in the desert, “thorns gored [Salva’s] feet” (Park 52). How is this similar to
what happened to Nya on her first walk in the story?
How does Uncle motivate Salva to keep moving?
Chapter 10
What do you think the visitors are planning to do? How might that change things
for Nya and her family?
What does Uncle say that gives Salva hope? How is that hope destroyed at the end
of the chapter?
Chapter 11
Why might Nya and her family be skeptical about finding water between the trees?
How does Salva’s attitude change in this chapter?
Choose a quote of ten words or less to support the answer above.
Page Number:
Quote:
Chapter 12
What does Nya compare the drill to?
How does Salva use the trick that his Uncle used to get him through the desert?
Why do you think Salva stayed at the refugee camp for so long?
Chapter 13
What does Nya think is funny or ironic about the drilling process?
What methods does the boss use to keep his workers going?
How are Salva’s methods of keeping the boys working similar to the boss in Nya’s
story?
Chapter 14
Why is Nya concerned about the way the water looks?
What is life like in the refugee camps? Why would refugees be not allowed to
leave?
Why does Salva want to learn English?
Chapter 15
Why can’t they drink the water from the well yet?
What does Salva experience for the first time when he reaches Rochester, NY?
Chapter 16
What do you think Nya’s father is planning to build?
What are some experiences that are a culture shock to Salva? What things are
familiar to him?
Why does Salva travel back to Sudan?
Chapter 17
What is Nya’s father building? Was your prediction correct?
Why does Salva’s father sprinkle water on him? After all of the ways water has
come into play in this story so far, why is that significant?
Why did Salva’s father go to the clinic? How is this similar to Nya’s sister’s
illness?
What does Salva learn about his family?
What do you think Salva’s project is?
Chapter 18
How does having a well begin to change the lives of the people in Nya’s village?
Why do you think Salva’s project began to serve others outside of his own people?
How do you think this will change the way they perceive one another?
A message from Salva Dut
Salva says “stay calm when things are not going right for you. You will get
through it when you persevere instead of quitting” (117). What are the things that
helped Salva persevere?
What are some things that help you persevere when things become difficult?