Rising Water: The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue

Gr 6 Up—The story of the young Thai soccer players trapped in a cave for several days is one that gripped the world. Aronson makes the event feel new through his deeply detailed research and his ability to share pertinent information that news organizations may have ignored. The tale is told chronologically, and a "cast of characters" is given at the beginning. Those unaware of this event will be rewarded with a well-researched look at everyone involved, from those trapped to the many who came to help. Beyond bare facts, Aronson gives insight into Thai culture, including information about the "stateless," and focuses on the community built internationally to save those in need. A section titled "How I Researched and Wrote this Book" details how the author relied on the expertise of others, and dovetails nicely with observations of how the interrelationships among countries made the rescue possible. A commentary on media depiction and partial truths is especially resonant and highlights the importance of news literacy. In addition, the back matter is thorough and comprehensive, filled with notes and further reading and viewing. The full-color photos and black-and-white illustrations complement the narrative and give faces to those depicted.