Meet Christina Soontornvat

author of All Thirteen and A Wish in the Dark

What is All Thirteen about?

This is the nonfiction telling of the Thai Cave Rescue. In 2018, twelve boys and their soccer coach went hiking in a cave in northern Thailand, and were trapped by quickly rising floodwaters. It took an international rescue team of cavers, volunteers, and cave divers 18 days to ultimately rescue them all. It was an unprecedented event that captured the attention of the world!

How did you research All Thirteen?

My dad's family lives in Thailand and when I was working on the book, I flew to northern Thailand to interview many of the rescuers and volunteers who were on site throughout the rescue. My dad and other family members helped me translate because I'm not fluent in Thai. I even got to meet the boys and their coach and learn all about what they went through when they were trapped in the cave!

What is A Wish in the Dark about? 

This is the story of a boy named Pong, who was born in a jail, and who longs for his freedom. One day he manages to escape, but the prison warden's daughter tracks him down, determined to turn him back in. She chases him into the heart of a magical city, where Pong learns that people are suffering. He has to decide if he will stay in the city and help the people, or keep running and save himself. 

What makes this book special? 

The story takes place in a fantasy world that's inspired by my father's stories of growing up in Bangkok, Thailand. It's an adventure story, with midnight chases in boats along a river. It's also a magical story, where you have to be careful what you wish for—because in this world wishes really do come true.

Christina is also the author of The Diary of an Ice Princess series!

About Christina

Christina Soontornvat is the award-winning author of over a dozen books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and Simon at the Art Museum, illustrated by Christine Davenier. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series. Her recent works include the middle grade fantasy, A Wish in the Dark, which was named a 2021 Newbery Honor Book, and was chosen as Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and School Library Journal, and All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team, which has received numerous nonfiction awards and was also named a 2021 Newbery Honor Book.