Scott RileyBesprekingen

Where there have been wars since the 1800s, there have been land mines that continue to maim and kill unsuspecting people. Years ago, Princess Diana walked through an active landmine field in Angola to expose its danger, and before that there was publicity about these killing remainders in Europe leftover from WW2. But it was the wars in Southeast Asia, and especially in Cambodia, that left the most concentrated areas of minefields and have proven the hope, bravery, and resilience of the Cambodian people working with trained Giant African Pouched Rats, also rightly known as Hero Rats, who have made the biggest difference in the safety of the people. This book explains it all to us!
The illustrations by Huy Voun Lee are clear, representative, colorful, expressive, and I love the renderings of Angkor Wat.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group | Millbrook Press ™ via NetGalley. Thank you!

Recommended Ages: Gr. 2-5

Plot Summary: Prasit Hemmin and his friends were obsessed with soccer, sometimes watching it on the only tv on the entire island.
But even better than watching was playing. Prasit was eager for the spring tides twice a month because it meant that there was a sandbar in his island town to play soccer. Frustrated that he and his friends couldn't play soccer more often because everything they lived is on stilts over the water, they finally had the idea to make a floating field. Without plans, he and his friends gathered old wood and styrofoam and built a field. Townspeople thought they were strange, but they loved being able to play soccer anytime they wanted, instead of just twice a month. It wasn't easy -- there were nails sticking out to avoid and they had to jump into the water to get the ball when it went out of bounds, but they got so good at playing around the nails. Seeing a competition on the mainland, their town rallied together to get the team new jerseys and cleats. At the tournament, the boys did really well, until the semi-finals when it started raining hard. Will they

Setting: 1986, Koh Panyee, Thailand

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Recurring Themes: determination, invention, problem-solving, rummaging, building, fishing, Muslim, pride, ignoring naysayers

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Personal Thoughts: Ok first, I have to admit that I didn't know there was a large Muslim population in Thailand. I'm glad I learned that. Next, this book is well written with fabulous illustrations showing the emotions, camaraderie, and support during this true experience.

Genre: narrative non-fiction

Pacing: fast
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This is an amazing story of boys who wanted a soccer field and built one on the ocean. They didn’t let anyone stop them and eventually became champions in the sport they loved so much. This true story is well told and the information in the back expands on the story rather than retell it. It is well done and a great read at any age.

What an incredible story! Not just for soccer fans, either: This is plain good storytelling. Kids will love reading about the ingenuity of the Thai boys who live on the water and build their own field from scratch. They play barefoot and have to dive to retrieve stray balls, but (spoiler alert!) nevertheless reach finals in the big tournament. The ending is super satisfying and all the better for being true. Librarians and teachers - put this one on your list!