All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat is a middle grade nonfiction account of a challenging, 18-day rescue operation to save 12 soccer players and their coach who were trapped inside a cave in Thailand. Through the author’s research of events, including interviews with those involved, she provides a detailed and suspenseful account of the rescue. The story captured the attention of millions of people around the globe. Soontornvat herself became captivated by the story because when the boys became trapped, she was visiting family in Northern Thailand, not far from the flooded cave, Tham Luang.

Published in 2020, the book highlights several themes: The Importance of Teamwork and Communication, The Role of Resilience in Survival, and The Significance of Mental Strength. The book received numerous accolades, including Newbery Medal Nominee (2021), SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Older Readers Nonfiction (2021), Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2021), YALSA Award Nominee for Excellence in Nonfiction (2021), and NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book (2021).

This guide references the 2020 print edition.

Summary

On June 23, 2018, 12 boys on the Wild Boars soccer team accompanied their assistant coach on an outing to explore the local cave Tham Luang after practice.