All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

Abstract

Reviewed by: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat Elizabeth Bush Soontornvat, Christina All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team; illus. by Karen Minot and with photographs. Candlewick, 2020 [288p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781536209457 $24.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781536216080 $24.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 5-8 Readers who were checked out of international news in 2018 or a tad too young for Marc Aronson’s Rising Water (BCCB 4/19) have a chance to relive (or learn about) the dramatic rescue of twelve adolescent soccer players and their coach from a Thai cave that flooded during the few critical hours when they were exploring. Soontornvat’s narrative moves smoothly between those stranded deep within the cave (which eventually included four rescuers who chose to stay with them), local and national officials whose competence and reputation were at stake, and diverse teams of recruits and volunteers, whose energy and goodwill sometimes exceeded their effectiveness. With a happy ending and a near-perfect survival rate (one adult life was lost), this is as much a tale of ingenuity as survival. Efforts were loosely coordinated at best, but nonetheless a high-risk evacuation of sedated youngsters, bundled into adapted underwater gear, was successfully launched, while a water management team manned an ingenious makeshift pumping system, families worried and prayed, and global media audiences looked on. Most spreads feature at least one color photograph or a schematic of a cave or recovery system; well-placed insets add cultural and scientific notes. An author note remarks on Soontornvat’s research and personal experiences, and annotated source notes, a bibliography, and index will also be provided. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois