Christina Soontornvat

A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him. A compelling fantasy looks at issues of privilege, protest, and justice. All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free. Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat’s twist on Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice — and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark.

A Wish in the Dark

The Last Mapmaker

"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. Combining firsthand interviews of rescue workers with in-depth science and details of the region's culture and religion, [the author]...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."--

The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

All Thirteen

Joanna Cacao

a Graphic Novel

Tryout

Erika Lee

a History for Young People

Made in Asian America

From two-time Newbery Honoree and Kirkus Prize winner Christina Soontornvat, and stellar new talent, Joanna Cacao, comes a high stakes, highly relatable graphic novel about courage and competition, friendship and belonging, and learning to feel comfortable in your own skin. Perfect for fans of New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends. Trying out for middle school cheerleader means: performing in the giant school gym, with the whole school watching, and risking total humiliation. ​​​​​​​ If Christina can make it through this, she can make it through anything. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​As one of the only Asian American kids in her small Texas town, Christina just wants to fit in. Luckily, her best friend, Megan, who is Iranian American, can totally relate. The two girls have always been inseparable and relish creating elaborate fantasy worlds together. But middle school is a reality-check, and suddenly popularity is way more important than playing pretend. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and Megan literally jump at the chance to join the squad. But does fitting in actually equal belonging? Will they survive the terrifying tryouts? And most importantly, will their friendship withstand the pressures of heated competition and rivalry? ​​​​​​​Hilarious and heartfelt, The Tryout is Christina Soontornvat's personal story, sure to make you laugh, cry, and cheer!

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel

When eleven-year-old Izzy's sister, Hen, disappears into the woods near their new house, Izzy, aided by a band of outlaw Changelings, must seek her in the land of Faerie.

The Changelings

What is a Fairy without her magic? Life hasn't been the same since Izzy found out she was a Changeling during a trip to the magical land of Faerie. Sure, she's glad to be back on Earth with her human family, but she can't stop thinking about the amazing friends she left behind. Even worse, Izzy can't seem to change anymore. She can't stand the thought of losing all ties to the one place she felt like she truly belonged. So when Izzy gets a chance to return to Faerie, she's quick to say yes. But when a new evil threatens not only Faerie, but Earth itself, will Izzy get her magic back in time to help save everyone she loves? Praise forThe Changelings: "A richly drawn fairy world that will have readers staying way up past their bedtime to read what their plucky herione, Izzy, does next." --Jen Calonita, author of the Fairy Tale Reform School series "Fresh and imaginative--new inventions on every page. I loved every ingenious twist and turn right up to the wonderfully satisfying ending." --Katherine Catmull, author of The Radiant Road and Summer and Bird "The Changelings is charming! Perfect for readers who love stories full of magic, adventure, mystery and fairies, topped off with a satisfying and very happy ending. Soontornvat's debut sparkles and delights!" --Nikki Loftin, author of The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy

In a Dark Land

Into the Shadow Mist (Legends of Lotus Island #2)

Sarah Mlynowski

The New York Times bestselling series! Pass the magic on! This enchanting multi-author series is like American Girl with magic. In this book, written by bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski and three-time Newbery Honor recipient Christina Soontornvat, the magic bracelet comes to a girl in Texas, who ends up in a Groundhog Day-style time loop. Lucy Usathorn of Fort Worth, Texas is super excited for her class trip to the Natural History Museum, where her dad works. Sure, Ms. Brock, the strict school librarian who happens to be dating Lucy's dad (awkward) is chaperoning, but it'll still be the best day ever, right? Wrong! Lucy has to watch in shock and humiliation as her dad proposes to Ms. Brock. Lucy is distraught. If only she could do this whole day over from scratch... Enter the magic bracelet. It arrives in the mail, with a long letter from Addie, a girl in Columbus, Ohio, who had the bracelet last time. The bracelet grants wishes, and Lucy knows just what to wish for: a do-over day, where she'll fix everything and most importantly, prevent her dad from proposing to Ms. Brock. The wish comes true--but not quite as Lucy expected. Her day keeps repeating over and over, and things keep getting worse in unique (and hilarious) ways. With the help of her new long-distance friends, Addie and Becca, will Lucy be able to figure her way out of this time loop...before it's too late?

Time After Time (Best Wishes #3)

Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1)

Frost Friends Forever

On Thin Ice

From Christina Soontornvat, the visionary and versatile author of two 2021 Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world. In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, twelve-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman—and in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands—a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining—she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale of identity and integrity is as beautiful and intricate as the maps of old.

A little boy visits an art museum for the first time in this fun, sweet picture book about first experiences and seeing things from new perspectives. Simon is having a great time at the museum with his parents. There are slippery, slidey floors! Pigeons flying around the reflecting pool! And cheesecake in the café! But they’re not really here for any of that. No, Simon has to look at art. And more art. So. Much. Art. There’s so much art that soon Simon needs to take a break and finds somewhere to sit. From his bench, he begins to notice how many different people are visiting the museum and the many different ways they react to the art they see. Some people are alone. Some are in groups. Some people smile. Some shake their heads. Some even shed a tear. And Simon is right in the center of it, watching until he’s inspired to give all the art another try. By the end of the day, he may even find a piece that can rival a slice of cheesecake!

Simon at the Art Museum

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.

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

New picture book by a two-time Newbery Honor-winning author! The delightful story of an unconventional family of kids who learn the ups and downs of working together. Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and little Jory love their ramble shamble house. It's a lot of work taking care of the garden, the chickens, and themselves, but they all pitch in to make it easier--even Jory, who looks after the mud puddles. When they come across a picture of a "proper" house in a book, they start wondering if their own home is good enough. So they get to work "propering up" the garden, the chickens, and even the mud puddles. But the results aren't exactly what they expected, and when their now-proper household's youngest member goes missing, they realize that their ramble shamble home might be just right for their family, after all.

The Ramble Shamble Children

For use in schools and libraries only. When eleven-year-old Izzy's sister, Hen, disappears into the woods near their new house, Izzy, aided by a band of outlaw Changelings, must seek her in the land of Faerie..

Diary, I am so excited! Next week, our class is going to do something called a field trip. And I get to ride on a yellow school bus! It's going to be just like in the movies, Diary! My cousin Jack Frost is going to be tagging along with us to an aquarium. His Winterheart magic is mega-impressive. Grandfather says I can learn a lot from him. But YAWN, Diary. I'm about to see penguins! I just hope Cousin Jack can chill out with the lessons and enjoy the trip...

Christina Soontornvat

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