Christina Soontornvat

Christina Soontornvat is an American children's author and educator who has gained recognition for both her fiction and nonfiction works. She has received three Newbery Honors, including two in 2021 for "A Wish in the Dark" and "All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team," and another in 2023 for "The Last Mapmaker." Before becoming an author, Soontornvat earned degrees in mechanical engineering and science education, working at a science museum. Her Thai heritage, through her father's family, has influenced several of her works and provides authentic cultural perspectives in her storytelling. Soontornvat's work spans multiple genres within children's literature, including fantasy fiction and narrative nonfiction. Her book "All Thirteen" notably chronicles the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue from a Thai perspective, while "A Wish in the Dark" offers a Thai-inspired fantasy world for middle-grade readers. The author's achievements include becoming only the third writer in history to receive two Newbery Honors in the same year. Her work consistently demonstrates a blend of cultural authenticity and engaging storytelling that appeals to young readers.

Readers highlight Soontornvat's ability to blend Thai culture and mythology with accessible storytelling for middle-grade audiences. Her non-fiction work "All Thirteen" receives recognition for making complex engineering and rescue operations understandable for young readers. Likes: - Clear, engaging writing style that respects young readers' intelligence - Authentic Thai cultural elements and representations - Strong character development in fantasy series - Integration of STEM concepts in accessible ways Dislikes: - Some readers find pacing slow in early chapters - A few note her fantasy works can be complex for the target age group Ratings: Goodreads averages: - All Thirteen: 4.4/5 (3,900+ ratings) - A Wish in the Dark: 4.3/5 (4,200+ ratings) - The Last Mapmaker: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.7/5 across titles with readers frequently noting the books work well for both children and adults. School Library Journal reviews consistently recommend her works for elementary and middle school collections.

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team A nonfiction account documenting the 2018 rescue of twelve young soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave system in Thailand.

A Wish in the Dark A middle-grade fantasy novel set in a Thai-inspired world where a boy born in prison seeks justice in a city where light is controlled by a powerful Governor.

The Last Mapmaker A middle-grade fantasy about a young assistant to a mapmaker who joins a ship's expedition to chart mysterious southern waters.

The Rush and the Tangle A middle-grade fantasy featuring a girl who works as a canal dredger in a flooded city and discovers an ancient system of magic.

To All the Boys Who Lost at Love A picture book that follows a young Thai American girl navigating cultural identity and family relationships.

Simon at the Art Museum A picture book about a boy's first visit to an art museum and his journey to appreciate different forms of art.

The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe A picture book that combines counting concepts with humorous mishaps of monster siblings.

Kelly Yang writes middle-grade books featuring Asian protagonists and tackles real-world issues through accessible narratives. Her work combines cultural elements with contemporary stories, similar to Soontornvat's approach to weaving Thai heritage into her books.

Laurel Snyder creates fantasy adventures for middle-grade readers that blend realistic characters with magical elements. Her books explore complex themes while maintaining narrative accessibility, matching Soontornvat's style in works like "A Wish in the Dark."

Linda Sue Park writes historical fiction and contemporary stories featuring Asian characters and cultural elements. Her work demonstrates similar attention to cultural authenticity and research-based storytelling that appears in Soontornvat's books.

Elizabeth Lim crafts fantasy novels incorporating Asian mythology and cultural elements into her narratives. Her work shares Soontornvat's approach to building fantasy worlds influenced by Asian cultural heritage.

Grace Lin produces books that combine Chinese culture with fantasy elements and contemporary stories. Her work demonstrates the same commitment to cultural representation and engaging storytelling found in Soontornvat's books.