Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time
What’s inside...
In South Sudan, where Nya lives, many girls have a hard job: fetching water for their families from a remote water hole.
The distance on foot is long, and the full water container is heavy. When Nya has to carry her little sister as well as the water, home seems impossibly distant. But reaching a thorn bush a few steps away--that she can do. And the tree after that, and then the next thing in her path...moving toward help and safety a step at a time.
In the setting of Linda Sue Park's bestseller A Long Walk to Water, and featuring a character who appears in those pages, Nya's Long Walk tells a story of determination, perseverance, and love.
An afterword discusses the process of providing clean water in South Sudan, reducing waterborne illness.
Why read this book
- Inspires resilience through Nya’s challenging journey.
- Highlights importance of perseverance and courage.
- Enhances empathy and understanding of diverse cultures.
- Supports developmental growth in young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Nya feels on her long walk for water? Can you describe what might be going through her mind?
Why is water so important in Nya's life, and how does it affect her daily activities?
What can we learn from Nya's perseverance and determination?
How do you think the story would change if Nya's community had easy access to water?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Nya’s shoes and think about how they would feel making such a long walk daily.
Discuss the significance of water in our lives and how different their own daily routine is from Nya's.
Praise the virtues of perseverance and determination showcased by Nya, relating them to challenges your child may face.
Inspire action by talking about ways your family can help or get involved in issues of water scarcity and access.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Nya's journey to fetch water demonstrates the importance of perseverance as she overcomes challenges during her long walk.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by staying determined and persistent in completing their tasks or overcoming obstacles in school or at home.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story provides insights into the hardships faced by others, fostering a sense of empathy in young readers.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and appreciate different life circumstances, encouraging them to be kind and considerate towards others in their community.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: Nya displays resourcefulness by finding ways to carry water over long distances, highlighting the importance of using ingenuity to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think creatively to solve their own problems, whether it's finding a new approach to a difficult homework assignment or resolving conflicts with friends.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Nya shows courage as she faces physical and environmental challenges during her walk, teaching children the value of bravery in difficult situations.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their fears and take on new challenges, be it trying out for a sports team, standing up for a friend, or facing their own personal 'long walks'.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for basic necessities
Explanation: The struggle to obtain clean water depicted in the book can help children appreciate and value the basic necessities that they might otherwise take for granted.
Real-World Application: This can lead to greater gratitude for their resources and a greater awareness in conserving them, such as turning off the tap when not in use or not wasting food.