All Thirteen

The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

By: Christina Soontornvat

Narrated by: Quincy Surasmith, Christina Soontornvat

A 2022 YALSA Amazing Audiobook for Young Adults
Winner of the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young People's Literature
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 2021 Orbis Pictus Honor Book

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, 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.

©2020 Christina Soontornvat, original book published by Candlewick Press (P) 2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“When the action of the rescue ratchets up, Surasmith narrates with an exasperation that makes listeners feel like they too are trapped in the cave. This informative, engaging yet pithy audiobook is suitable for all audiences.” (AudioFile Magazine)

"In his audiobook debut, [Quincy] Surasmith narrates with a calm, journalistic demeanor and pays careful attention to the correct pronunciation of Thai names. His measured, clear presentation serves to highlight the hardworking determination of the rescue and the high stakes of the operation." (Booklist)

“An in-depth account of a harrowing real-life mission that succeeds against all odds...Masterful storytelling fleshes out the complex human emotions behind key decisions, illuminates diplomatic and political negotiations, and underscores an unwavering faith - in maintaining hope and in harnessing powers of the mind. Thoughtfully researched, expertly crafted. (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

All Thirteen Affirms the Power of Human Ingenuity and Compassion

Love the many positive dimensions of this true story. Human resolve, care, compassion, problem solving, ingenuity, teamwork, and humility are among many other things in this neat book.

Amazing

what an amazing story! Truly a miraculous rescue! I loved listening to this book with my boys.

Detailed informational text

Love the various points of view that were brought in, and the sidebars charts and graphs that helped explain various parts of the story.

The chance of success

I liked the book story and I did not like the way the chapters were so long

Great version of this incredible story

After reading and listening to the many books, watching two documentaries and multiple movie versions, I have to say that I really liked Ms Soontornvat’s account of the Thai Cave rescue of 2018. It captures all the main characters and stories including the local Thai helpers that are missing from most other accounts. Since it is targeted for children, it is also an easy read and explains technical aspects of the rescue in simple terms without making the reader feel talked down to.

The narration is also well done. It doesn’t require an actor with a host of voices to bring it to life but does require someone who reads and understands both English and Thai terms and names and the narrator does this well.

If you can only read one book on the Thai Cave rescue this a good one. Highly recommended.