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Christina Soontornvat

クリスティーナ・スーントーンワット

Christina Soontornvat

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1980
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Austin, Texas, USA

Career

Occupations
Author, Educator, Mechanical engineer
Active Years
2016-

Education

Trinity University (Texas)
School of Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
Degree: BS
Period: 1998-2002
Year of Graduation: 2002
Country: United States
University of Texas at Austin
Graduate School of Science / Science Education
Degree: MS
Period: 2005-2007
Year of Graduation: 2007
Country: United States

Awards

Newbery Honor
2021
Work: A Wish in the Dark
Category: 児童文学（フィクション）
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: Newbery Honor (受賞)
Newbery Honor
2021
Work: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
Category: 児童向けノンフィクション
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: Newbery Honor (受賞)
Newbery Honor
2023
Work: The Last Mapmaker
Category: ミドルグレード小説
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: Newbery Honor (受賞)

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Changelings

2016 Fantasy (Children's)

A children's fantasy about changelings and magical children; the first book of the Changelings series.

Growing upBelongingIdentity

A Wish in the Dark

2020 Children's literature (Middle grade)

A fable-like middle-grade novel about children confronting injustice and power; explores community, justice, and hope.

JusticeCommunityHope

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

2020 Nonfiction (Children's)

A children's nonfiction account of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, told as much as possible from Thai perspectives.

CourageCooperationThai culture

The Last Mapmaker

2022 Middle grade adventure

An adventure and coming-of-age middle-grade novel centered on mapmaking, exploration, and family traditions.

ExplorationFamilyTradition

Simon at the Art Museum

2020 Picture book / Early reader

A picture book for young readers about experiencing an art museum and developing imagination and familiarity with art.

Art educationImagination

Bibliography

  • The Changelings
  • In a Dark Land: A Changelings Story
  • Snow Place Like Home
  • Frost Friends Forever
  • On Thin Ice
  • The Big Freeze
  • Slush Puppy Love
  • Icing on the Snowflake
  • The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe!
  • A Wish in the Dark
  • Simon at the Art Museum
  • All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
  • The Ramble Shamble Children
  • The Last Mapmaker
  • The Tryout

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, accessible proseNarrative voice tailored for children, explanatory yet story-driven
Recurring Motifs
Community and mutual aidJustice and ethicsRepresentation of Thai culture and perspectivesExploration and discovery

Legacy

A notable contemporary children's author. Gained attention for receiving Newbery Honors in both fiction and nonfiction in the same year (2021), and for introducing Thai perspectives in global children's literature.

Quotes

  • "All Thirteen was told from the Thai perspective as much as possible, and to let people know about Thailand."
    Source: Interview in Publishers Weekly (2021) (2021)

Trivia

  • Won two Newbery Honors in 2021 for A Wish in the Dark and All Thirteen.
  • One of the first authors to receive Newbery Honors in both fiction and nonfiction in the same year.
  • Co-organized the Everywhere Book Fest in 2020 with Ellen Oh and Melanie Conklin.
  • Lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two children.