Characters
This young boy becomes separated from his family during the war in 1985.
Who is Salva Dut?
The country where both Nya and Salva live.
What is Sudan?
The reason Akeer becomes dangerously ill.
What is drinking contaminated water?
The war that forces Salva to flee his school.
What is the Second Sudanese Civil War?
A major theme is shown through Salva’s long journey and leadership.
What is perseverance?
She walks hours every day to fetch water for her family in 2008.
Who is Nya?
The dangerous desert Salva must cross.
What is the Akobo Desert?
The group that builds the well in Nya’s village.
What is Water for Sudan?
This animal kills Marial during the journey.
What is a lion?
The theme shown by Nya’s life improves when the village gets a well.
What is the impact of access to clean water?
This man is Salva’s uncle who helps him survive the desert crossing.
Who is Uncle Jewiir?
The longest river in the world that Salva must cross.
What is the Nile River?
Nya’s daily responsibility that keeps her from attending school.
What is fetching water?
The reason the Ethiopian soldiers force refugees into the Gilo River.
What is the government's plan for the collapse / closing the camps?
The way Salva encourages himself to get through each day.
What is “one step at a time”?
This friend of Salva’s disappears in lion country.
Who is Marial?
The refugee camp in Kenya, where Salva has lived for five years.
What is Kakuma?
Salva and the group use this plant to build boats to cross the Nile.
What is papyrus reeds?
These dangerous animals attack people trying to cross the Gilo River.
What are crocodiles?
The idea is shown when the Dinka and Nuer communities share the benefits of wells.
What is hope for unity / overcoming tribal conflict?
This aid worker teaches Salva English and volleyball in the refugee camp.
Who is Michael?
The village where Salva’s family lived.
What is Loun‑Ariik?
The liquid Nya is amazed to see when the well finally works, even though it is brown at first.
What is clean water from underground?
The tribe whose men kill Uncle Jewiir.
Who are the Nuer?
This theme is highlighted by Salva becoming a leader and helping others.
What is using personal hardship to create change?