* Despite the concise narration, the gravity of the rescue is never dampened. Aronson is mindful in his descriptions of differences in cultures and takes care not to filter them through Western assumptions. He also includes a chapter openly describing gaps in his research and account due to key players' personal or political biases. . . . Solid writing preserves the natural rising suspense and astonishing details of this rescue. -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Told in a breakneck chronological sequence, those familiar with the outcome of the story are still left breathless by the pace of the storytelling. . . . With respect paid to all countries that sent individuals to help problem-solve for the crisis, this will be a useful text in the classroom and a heart-pounding narrative nonfiction title for individual readers. Highly recommended. -- School Library Connection Aronson makes the event feel new through his deeply detailed research and his ability to share pertinent information that news organizations may have ignored. . . . A thorough, engaging, and inspiring book. -- School Library Journal Aronson takes readers beyond the headlines and into the action of this harrowing event. . . . The text quickly gains momentum as Aronson recounts some of the suspenseful life-or-death moments as divers brought each boy out one by one. -- Booklist Aronson makes each nail-biting day feel immediate. . . . Theres more going on here than heroic rescue, though; theres also serious attention paid to the stateless status of some of the boys, to Thai attitudes toward government, religion, and privacy that influenced subsequent media coverage, to comparison of the international response to the boys rescue and of the deadly, nearly concurrent failure of a Laotian dam not far away. -- BCCB
