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

In Thailand, in June of 2018, twelve members of a boys' soccer team, along with their coach, went on what was supposed to be a fun afternoon's adventure exploring a local cave system, only to find themselves trapped when the caves flooded due to the unexpectedly early arrival of Thailand's rainy season. They were stuck down there for eighteen days, the first ten of them with no food and no contact with the outside world, an ordeal I honestly cannot even begin to imagine.

I was vaguely aware of these events when they happened, occasionally hearing news about them, but I had absolutely no idea of just how massive, dedicated, and heroic the rescue operations that saved these kids were. By the end, they involved a staggering number of show more people: from the Thai and US militaries, to expert cave divers flown in from the UK, to local people who did everything from helping divert more water from entering the caves to delivering meals for the rescue workers. Nor did I have any sense of how incredibly difficult and dangerous the entire operation was, or how near-miraculous it was that all thirteen survived. (Although the event was still not free of tragedy, as one of the Thai Navy SEALs lost his life over the course of those eighteen days.)

I am very glad to know it all now, though. It's an exciting story of daring rescue, and a worthwhile cautionary tale -- be careful in caves, people, and always tell someone where you're going! -- but most of all it seems to me to be a showcase of humanity at its very best, coming together to help those in need, no matter what it might take.

And Soontornvat tells that story well. Her writing is simple and clear in a way that's meant to be accessible to younger readers, but it's compelling enough for those of any age. She never sensationalizes the story, or talks about the kids in a way that feels like it's exploiting their traumatic experiences. She doesn't even do that thing I thought anyone writing this sort of book was practically obligated to do these days and stick the climactic or most exciting part of the story in the front, as if readers can't be trusted to be sufficiently patient with a narrative that actually starts at the beginning. I cannot say how refreshing I find that! And I for one, certainly didn't need any sensationalizing or contrived narrative structure to feel incredibly invested in the events as they unfolded. The simple facts are interesting and exciting enough! And, speaking of simple facts, I also very much appreciated the sidebars Soontornvat includes giving relevant and useful background information about subjects like cave geology and Thai culture. show less

This was gripping and suspenseful, even though I've read other books about the incident. I mean, the title tells you they were all be fine, but the chapters where they have to get the kids out before the water rises again had me biting my fingernails. I also liked how it placed everything in context, explaining what life is like in Thailand and where customs differ (smiling, how to argue, who becomes a monk, etc.) The main narrative was sequential, with a lot of great illustration and photos, and then every chapter or so there would be a box explanation of something, whether it was the geology of the area or the immigration status of some of the kids. I appreciated how it explained the communication gaps between the various groups show more without trying to make one team the bad guys, and how she covered both the innovations by the Thai people and the work done by the expert divers flown in to work the cave. I also appreciated how she left out the whole twitter kerfluffle and concentrated on what actually happened at the cave.

I also really enjoyed the notes in the back, which carefully documented where everything was learned, including the personal connections (her father did some of the translating, her uncle helped her get an invitation to meet the boys when they came to LA). The bibliography covered all aspects of the story.

I received a review copy from Candlewick Press. show less

This is an excellent account of an extraordinary rescue, made more captivating by information about Thai culture, the history of Buddhism, and the the boys' families. There are also interesting sections about the structure of caves, how they are formed, and many charts and diagrams to further describe the complexities of cave rescue. An added wrinkle in communications was the international mix of etiquette styles that added to the initial tension, with westerners speaking freely instead of adhering to the strict rules of Thai protocol. Like the rest of the world I was glued to the news reports of the story back in 2018 and although we know about the successful result, Soontornvat's book maintains a high level of suspense. Immense credit show more goes not only to the dedication and ingenuity of the rescuers, but also to the boys and their coach whose leadership skills and calm deliberation made it possible for the rescuers to do their job.

Soontornvat's book is published by Candlewick Press and although recommended for young adults, a reader from any age group will enjoy it.

What the boys and rescuers endured and accomplished deserves five stars but Soontornvat also gets five stars for an outstanding chronicle of the event. show less

Summary: An account of the rescue of the Wild Boars boys soccer team describing the engineering and diving efforts, and how the boys endured this experience.

It was a story the whole world followed, fearing for a time that the twelve boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand were dead. Then we learned they were alive. But could a rescue be mounted during a break in the monsoon rains, and would the boys survive?

Christina Soontornvat was in northern Thailand at the time this all happened, and in this “you are there” account she renders the story of how all this unfolded day by day. The account is accompanied lavishly with color photographs and diagrams.

The story begins with the boys of the Wild Boars soccer team and an show more assistant coach, “Coach Ek,” who has built a close bond with the boys, strengthened off the field with rigorous outings. On this day they decide to go to Tham Luang Nang Non–the Cave of the Sleeping Lady. They planned to go for an hour, but decided to go further–a fateful decision because while they went deeper in the cave, the Sleeping Lady woke up as heavy rains hit. When they turned around, they found the way out flooded.

They found a dry area, and figured soon that people in their town of Mae Sai would notify the authorities and rescuers would come. And soon they did–Navy Seals, an elite group, but one who lacked both equipment and experience in cave diving. Vern Unsworth, a world renowned cave diver happened to be in Mae Sai. He was aware of the dangers, rushing, silted waters that could disorient a diver, clog gear, and potentially take lives with the slightest mistake. Eventually the call goes out to the best cave divers in the world, who come from half way around the world to be part of the rescue effort.

Another part of the story is the incredible confluence of people to help with this effort from an American Air Force Special Tactics squadron to hydraulics engineers who worked on solutions both to pump out and divert water from the caves, critically lowering the levels to reduce the flow for the divers. Perhaps most inspiring is the “Get-It-Done Crew,” an army of local people who do everything from organize food to find critical supplies–fast.

Meanwhile, as days pass on, the boys are growing hungrier. They are wet and cold but still healthy. Coach Ek’s challenge is to keep up their spirits, their hopes, their will to survive. They meditate, they dig, they huddle. Their team bonds and conditioning serve them well. When divers finally make it to them, they find them alive, though losing weight from lack of food. They can’t get them out but they can supply food, and they leave a doctor and three Navy Seals to look after their health. But the extra people are depleting the oxygen in the cave and the continued wet and cold are starting to affect the boys.

The most significant factor are the coming monsoons, which will make the caves inaccessible for six months. The boys can’t survive that long, even if their sheltering place doesn’t flood. The mountain is too thick to drill. The only choice left is to diving in and bring the boys out. Even then, they estimate three to five will die. As the title suggests, there are no casualties (other than a Navy Seal who died earlier, showing the dangers of the caves). But I will leave the story of the rescue to you.

The publication information for the book indicates it to be written at a grade 8 to 12 level. The account has an up close and personal feel, coming from interviews with all the key people. One comes away with profound respect for the boys and their coach who endured sixteen days in the caves, and the combination of Thai people and experts from around the world who overcome logistical and cultural obstacles to mount the rescue. Soontornvat not only describes the challenges, but helps us become part of the scene, feeling the alternating fears and hopes of the parents, the determination of the rescuers, and the gritty loyalty to one another of the boys and their coach. She helps us understand the culture of the Thai people and the strong values that brought them together in this effort.

This is a story one can connect with on so many levels–a story of team spirit, of cultural values, of faith (Coach Ek is closely associated with a Buddhist temple), and of courage, and on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense. There are so many elements of a great read, which this was for me.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer Program. The opinions I have expressed are my own. show less

Even though some readers may remember the miraculous ending of this near-tragedy (and as the subtitle basically gives it away), the narrative is freshly suspenseful and compelling, to the point that I don't think I will ever try to explore a cave! While Soontornvat recognizes the international experts who came to help plan and support the rescue, she centers the thousands of Thai citizens who turned out to help, such as Thanet Natisri the water expert, the farmers with their super water pumps, monks, military personnel, and the Get-It-Done Crew, among the many. She describes the nuances of Thai culture in response to the rescue and how cultural tensions with non-Thai personnel had to be carefully navigated by both sides. And don't show more forget the science: readers learn about the geology of the cave, the rainy season, the impact of hypothermia, and the intricate details of carrying out such an urgent undertaking. Share this with kids who enjoy series such as the "I Survived..." and stories of survival and adventure. show less

Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team Is a riveting account of the dramatic 2018 rescue mission that attracted worldwide attention.The book is very well written and deftly explains in layman’s terms the science and complex diving techniques integral to the mission. Sidebars and personal backstories add depth and poignancy to the narrative. Though primarily aimed at teen readers, adults will also find All Thirteen a compelling and satisfying reading experience, as gripping as any page-turning thriller.

When I started to read this book about the Thai boys' rescue by Christina Soontornvat, I expected it would be good, as I had followed the real-life story carefully as it unfolded, and it was incredibly exciting with the added bonus of a satisfying happy ending. However, I thought it might be just an ordinary re-telling of what we had already seen and thereby a bit repetitive. I was happy to find that it was more than that; it was a much more inclusive and interesting account. The author didn't just tell the story of the cave rescue, as was shown in the media. She added a full explanation of the physical setting, the geology of the caves, the Thai culture and religion, the technical explanation of the diving and its equipment, and the show more science of how the boys survived on very little food in a challenging environment. The book was so interesting that I found myself reading it almost nonstop. I gave it to my two kids in their 20s and they did the same. Now I have given it to my older daughter and husband and their kids who are teenagers and I am sure they will feel the same way. Ms. Soontornvat has written children's books, and this book is so clearly written that older kids will enjoy it; yet it is NOT a children's book, it is sophisticated enough in its treatment that it appeals to all ages. I give it an emphatic 5-star rating and recommend it highly to everyone. show less