Nonfiction
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A 2021 Newbery Honor Book
A 2021 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book A 2021 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist A unique account of the amazing Thai cave rescue told in a heart-racing, you-are-there style that blends suspense, science, and cultural insight. On June 23, 2018, twelve young players of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach enter a cave in northern Thailand seeking an afternoon’s adventure. But when they turn to leave, rising floodwaters block their path out. The boys are trapped! Before long, news of the missing team spreads, launching a seventeen-day rescue operation involving thousands of rescuers from around the globe. As the world sits vigil, people begin to wonder: how long can a group of ordinary kids survive in complete darkness, with no food or clean water? Luckily, the Wild Boars are a very extraordinary "ordinary" group. Combining firsthand interviews of rescue workers with in-depth science and details of the region's culture and religion, author Christina Soontornvat—who was visiting family in Northern Thailand when the Wild Boars went missing—masterfully shows how both the complex engineering operation above ground and the mental struggles of the thirteen young people below proved critical in the life-or-death mission. Meticulously researched and generously illustrated with photographs, this page-turner includes an author’s note describing her experience meeting the team, detailed source notes, and a bibliography to fully immerse readers in the most ambitious cave rescue in history. |
Activity 1:
June 23, 2018
Imagine that you are one of the last boys to be rescued. Create a journal for that boy, with entries for every day in the cave. The brief entries should include facts and emotional reflections.
June 23, 2018
Imagine that you are one of the last boys to be rescued. Create a journal for that boy, with entries for every day in the cave. The brief entries should include facts and emotional reflections.
Activity 2:
A Virtual Visit to Thailand
Many aspects of Thailand are mentioned but not explored deeply in the narrative. Individually or in pairs choose an aspect of Thailand such as government, religions, or customs to research using print and digital sources. Then prepare a multimedia presentation to share.
A Virtual Visit to Thailand
Many aspects of Thailand are mentioned but not explored deeply in the narrative. Individually or in pairs choose an aspect of Thailand such as government, religions, or customs to research using print and digital sources. Then prepare a multimedia presentation to share.
Activity 3:
Q&A
The rescue attracted amazing people from many areas of life. Interview someone in one of the areas like caving, diving, the military, Buddhism, or others. Conduct short interviews in person, by phone, or through email, then share your findings.
Q&A
The rescue attracted amazing people from many areas of life. Interview someone in one of the areas like caving, diving, the military, Buddhism, or others. Conduct short interviews in person, by phone, or through email, then share your findings.