Novel Study: A Long Walk to Water: Pre-Reading Activity

Before reading Linda Sue Park’s novel A Long Walk to Water, use these pre-reading discussion prompts to build background knowledge and engagement. Designed for seventh- and eighth-grade students, this discussion guide provides a bit of background information and discussion prompts for three of the novel's major topics—refugees, Sudan’s second civil war, and a lack of access to clean water. Click on “View Answers” to see some sample answers to help guide readers in their conversations. For more novel-specific activities, be sure to check out our full set of worksheets related to A Long Walk to Water.