THE FLOATING FIELD

Enamored by sport, a group of Thai boys literally make a field of their own.

In Thailand in 1986, a young boy named Prasit lives in a village called Koh Panyee, built on stilts on the shore. As his father leaves on his boat with dreams of his daily catch, Prasit and the other neighborhood boys look elsewhere. Their eyes are on the village’s only TV, at Uncle’s coffee shop, broadcasting the World Cup. Their excitement spills over to a sandbar where they struggle to play in the sand. The straightforward text goes on at a steady pace to reveal how the boys build their own floating soccer field with ample ingenuity and resourcefulness. At first the community is skeptical of the boys’ goals, but they eventually cheer as the boys leave for a tournament. Illustrators Quang and Lien use vivid colors and contrast to bring plenty of depth and movement to every scene. At times the narration can be a touch flat, especially at the climax, where the boys kick off their shoes in their formal match to play in the rain, a moment rendered with little emotion. In the backmatter, the real Prasit provides insights on the actual events along with a detailed author’s note and a glossary. The village is largely Muslim, as shown by characters’ attire.

An intriguing true story elevated by striking illustrations.