The book alternates between two storylines: one beginning in 1985 and revolving

around Salva Dut, an eleven-year-old boy living in the South Sudanese village of Loun-Ariik;
the other beginning in 2008 and revolving around a young South Sudanese girl named Nya.

The novel tells the story of two characters whose childhoods are separated by 25 years. At
first glance, their lives are distinct from each other; however, they are both children who
came of age with the background of the Sudanese Civil War (which ravaged the country
from 1985 to 2005). In broad strokes, the civil war was the result of continued strife
between the Muslim, Arabic-speaking northerners and Christian, English-speaking
southerners of Sudan. The civil war resulted in the independence of South Sudan, and in
addition to the death of nearly two million people, the displacement of about twenty
thousand "Lost Boys," who travelled on foot to Ethiopia and Kenya in search of safety. Many
of those who did survive were permanently severed from their families and homeland.

The first of two protagonists, Salva Dut, is one such Lost Boy. Salva, becomes one of the "last
boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their
families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship, Salva is a survivor. Salva makes
his way to a refugee camp; later, he comes to America. As an adult, he reunites with his
father and establishes Water for South Sudan, an organization to bring water to his native
country. His story intersects with Nya's astonishingly and movingly.

The parallel story is that of Nya, an eleven-year-old girl growing up in Sudan in 2008. She
routinely walks to the pond to fetch water for her family. She spends the majority of her day
walking, often making several trips and pausing only to eat. Nya has a sister, Akeer, who is
sickly and so needs water desperately. By the end of her story, Nya's town has a new well,
and her father is involved in building a school.

Linda Sue Park was born in Urbana, Illinois on March 25, 1960. She received a B.A. in English
from Stanford University. After graduating, she worked as a public relations writer for a
major oil company for two years. She obtained advanced degrees in literature from Trinity
College, Dublin, Ireland, and from the University of London. Before becoming a full-time
author, she held numerous jobs including teaching English as a second language to college
students. Her first book, Seesaw Girl, was published in 1999. Her other books include The
Kite Fighters, and A Single Shard, which won the 2002 Newbery Medal. Her title A Long Walk
to Water made the New York Times bestseller list.

In A Long Walk to Water, some of the story takes place in 1985, and some of it takes place in
2009. Although their stories take place 24 years apart, Salva and Nya have a great deal in
common, such as war and other obstacles. The story happens in Ethiopia and Sudan.
CHAPTER 10 ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY:
A crowd was following the visitors. The visitors to Nya’s village finish their meeting with the
village chief. They walk through the village toward a tree, speaking a language Nya can’t
understand. Then, they tell the chief that there should be Water underneath the ground, at
the point midway between the two biggest trees. Nya finds this unlikely—there’s no water
above ground in this area, so why should there be anything beneath it?
The mysterious visitors appear to be designing a well in the centre of the village. This well
could save Nya huge amounts of time every day, since she wouldn’t have to walk miles to
the pond; however, Nya seems skeptical that there’s water underneath the village.
The two men and Nya have different perspectives on the notion that water exists between
the two trees. As a result of the men's education and knowledge of technology, they exhibit
complete confidence. Nya, in her childish innocence, believes she knows all there is to know
about the search for water because it has been her all-consuming responsibility. The
contrast between the men's knowledge and Nya's naiveté indicates the role of education
and innovation in moving the Sudanese toward progress.
The crowd of children following the men suggests the hope brewing among the villagers.
The quest for water has defined much of their existence. If water does exist, as the men say
it does, the existence of the villagers will change in fundamental ways.

Salva and the rest of the group have stopped to nurse the dying men in the middle of the
desert. Very bravely, some of the refugees sacrifice their water to help the dying men, in the
process endangering their own lives. This is a striking example of how, at times, people
choose to do the “right thing” instead of the smart thing—they help others, even if it means
hurting themselves.
Salva is tempted to share some of his own water with the men, but Jewiir prevents him
from doing so—Salva is too young to give up his water. They leave five dead companions
behind. Salva is petrified by the sight of the dead bodies. He wonders if he would have given
the men some of his water had he been older and stronger, or if he would have kept the
water for himself.
On the third and final day in the desert, Salva talks to Jewiir about his family. Jewiir tells
Salva the truth; the village of Loun-Ariik was attacked and burned. Jewiir then tells Salva
that he’s going to take him to a refugee camp, and then go back to Sudan to fight.
Evidently, Jewiir believes that Salva’s parents and siblings are dead. Their village was burned,
meaning that most of the villagers who were living there were probably murdered. Salva
doesn’t seem to grasp the truth about his family.

Analysis
Water means survival in the desert. When faced with the situation of the dying men, some
of the women in Salva's group choose compassion over their own survival, sacrificing their
own water to give the dying men a chance to live. In the story, many characters have chosen
their own survival over compassion. Confronted with the dying men in the desert, Salva
wonders what he would do, but the question is not answered. This indicates not only the
moral complexity of the situation but also Salva's maturing.
Salva's growing courage and determination emerge as he finds out Uncle will be leaving him
when they arrive at the refugee camp. Salva fights the urge to cling to Uncle and chooses to
be strong and move forward.

As Salva’s story continues, so do his struggles, with the days bringing even more suffering
and desperation. It becomes nearly impossible to go on after he stubs his toe.

Just when it seems Salva can endure no more, his uncle appears at his side to provide the
support and encouragement. When Uncle calls out Salva’s full name, he seems to call forth
in Salva the full force of the Dut Arrik family unit to propel him forward. Uncle, who does
not leave Salva’s side, strengthens Salva’s resolve by giving him a series of tiny goals to
reach—landmarks just ahead on the desert landscape. What Uncle is implicitly teaching
Salva, about leadership and perseverance and resolve.