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Christina Soontornvat

Picture
Christina Soontornvat is the award-winning author of over a dozen books for children of all ages. Her picture books include The Ramble Shamble Children, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, and To Change a Planet, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Belle. She is the author of the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess chapter book series and the bestselling graphic novel, The Tryout, illustrated by Joanna Cacao. Her recent works include the middle grade fantasy, A Wish in the Dark, which was named a 2021 Newbery Honor Book, and was chosen as Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and School Library Journal, and All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team, which received the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young People’s Literature and was also named a 2021 Newbery and Sibert Honor Book. Her latest novel, The Last Mapmaker, was named a 2022 Newbery Honor Book and Best Book of the Year by The New York Times. 

Christina Soontornvat grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math), and loves learning new things. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two young children, and one old cat. Learn more about Christina at https://soontornvat.com.

Christina's Process

Watch the interview with Christina Soontornvat to learn more about the her inspiration, process, research, and collaboration with illustrator Dow Phumrick in creating A Life of Service:
  • Christina’s inspiration to create the book, including a sense of pride as a fellow Thai-American  [1:14]
  • Research that relied on reading and watching interviews with Tammy Duckworth [3:09]
  • A lens for research [5:13]
  • Decisions about what to include in the book  [9:31]
  • Backmatter [11:34]
  • Organization and structure [13:22]
  • A connection to All Thirteen, Christina’s 2021 Newbery Honor and Sibert Honor book [14:37]
  • The collaborative process between an author and illustrator [15:54]
  • Themes of A Life of Service [18:30]

Christina's Books

More Resources about Christina

  • Q & A with Christina Soontornvat (PW)
  • When a Book Is Worth the Wait (Cynsations)
  • Member Interview (SCBWI)
  • An Interview with Christina Soontornvat (the HUB)
  • Connecting with the Human Element (Mackin Community)
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  • Home
  • About Our Work
    • Principles & Framework
  • Picture books
    • Above the Rim
    • Building Zaha
    • Classified
    • Eleanor Makes Her Mark
    • A Life of Service
    • Make Meatballs Sing
    • Otis and Will Discover the Deep
    • Queen of Physics
    • Sharuko
    • Soldier for Equality
    • The Cat Man of Aleppo
    • Voice of Freedom
    • What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?
    • William Still and His Freedom Stories
  • Chapter Books
    • Almost Astronauts
    • Maritcha
    • She Persisted: Claudette Colvin
  • Authors/Illustrators
    • Chris Barton
    • Tonya Bolden
    • Carole Boston Weatherford
    • Monica Brown
    • Jen Bryant
    • Matthew Burgess
    • Lesa Cline-Ransome
    • Natasha Donovan
    • Edwin Fotheringham
    • Rebecca Huang
    • Barbar Kerley
    • Irene Latham
    • Teresa Robeson
    • Barb Rosenstock
    • Katherine Roy
    • Christina Soontornvat
    • Traci Sorell
    • Tanya Lee Stone
    • Victoria Tentler-Krylov
    • Duncan Tonatiuh
    • Don Tate
  • Collection
  • Stories from the Classroom
    • Teacher Contributors
  • Additional Resources
  • About Us
  • Contact Us