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.

Out October 2020

288 Pages

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

I, like many, watched events unfold on television as rescue attempts were made for the thirteen boys stuck in a cave submerged in Thailand. I didn’t know of Elon Musk’s involvement to the extent found in the book. I have to credit the author with her research into details and follow-up. With the news, once the sensationalism is gone from a story, you don’t hear much more about it.

When reading this story and having the included photos to add to the tension and understanding of the story as it unfolded, you are there with everyone involved feeling the hope, fear and tension as the rescue is underway. Learning just how in danger the boys were was incredible. They are very fortunate to be alive. Seeing how the world came together to help and save them was so endearing especially considering the way things are right now in the world. There’s great add-ons at the back of the book and information about the region and country.

It’s a good non-fiction read, perfect for young and older readers :). Factual and thrilling and a book I can wholeheartedly recommend.

I gave it: