A Long Walk to Water Novel Study | Dual-Narrative Final Exhibition | Grades 6–8

A Long Walk to Water Novel Study | Dual-Narrative Final Exhibition | Grades 6–8

Bring your A Long Walk to Water novel study together with a culminating literary analysis and exhibition project that asks students to tackle one big question: Why did Linda Sue Park choose to tell Salva’s and Nya’s stories together as one novel?

Designed for Grades 6–8 and approximately 1–2 class periods, this no-prep lesson asks students to synthesize learning from across the novel rather than focus on a single chapter or event. Students revisit the characters’ different worlds, journeys, struggles, forms of survival, community challenges, cause-and-effect relationships, and eventual connection to build a well-supported argument about the purpose and impact of the novel’s dual-narrative structure.

Students Will
- Synthesize learning from across the entire novel
- Develop a clear argument about the dual-narrative structure
- Compare the contributions of Salva’s and Nya’s storylines
- Select strong evidence from multiple parts of the novel
- Explain how evidence supports a larger argument
- Analyze what readers gain from experiencing both stories together
- Consider what would be lost if either storyline stood alone
- Connect the novel to the real story of Salva Dut and Water for South Sudan
- Strengthen an initial claim after analyzing evidence
- Present and defend a literary argument

What’s Included
- Teacher Directions & Overview
- Mini Research Questions
- Dual-Narrative Final Exhibition Group Activity
- 3 Student Analysis & Planning Pages
- Color + Ink-Friendly B&W Versions

Group Activity: Dual-Narrative Final Exhibition
Students become literary curators tasked with building a final exhibition explaining why Linda Sue Park chose to tell Salva’s and Nya’s stories together. Groups develop an argument, gather evidence from at least four different lessons, and create exhibition panels that explain how each piece of evidence supports their thinking. They also connect the novel’s structure to the real story of Salva Dut and Water for South Sudan before presenting and defending their final argument.

Perfect For
- A Long Walk to Water Novel Study
- Grades 6–8 ELA
- Literary Analysis
- Text Evidence & Synthesis
- Culminating Novel Projects
- Small Groups or Independent Work
- Sub Plans

Why Teachers Love It
- No prep — print and teach
- Designed for 1–2 class periods
- Provides a meaningful culminating task for the novel
- Requires students to synthesize rather than simply summarize
- Encourages students to revisit evidence from across their learning
- Makes the purpose of a dual narrative accessible to middle school students
- Combines research, planning, literary analysis, and presentation
- Connects the novel’s structure to its real-world foundation
- Gives students space to develop, test, and strengthen an argument
- Works for collaborative or independent learning
- Includes both color and printer-friendly black-and-white versions

Important Novel Disclaimer
This is an independently created educational resource designed to support teaching and learning about A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or sponsored by Linda Sue Park, her publisher, or any related rights holder.
A Long Walk to Water and its characters, storylines, settings, and other elements originating from the novel remain the intellectual property of their respective rights holders. The novel itself is not included with this resource, and no part of the novel is reproduced as a substitute for the book.
Students and teachers will need access to a legally obtained copy of A Long Walk to Water for activities requiring them to read or reference the text. Purchase of this resource does not include a copy of the novel or permission to reproduce, distribute, scan, upload, or otherwise share the novel.