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March is reading month! This March, Christina Soontornvat came to Holland to talk about her novel, A Wish in the Dark. Wednesday the 25th at 6:30 pm she did an event at Herrick Library for the public. The next day she was at Hope College doing an event for local schools. About 800 students attended to learn about her novel and why it is relevant in today’s world.
A Wish in the Dark
A Wish in the Dark was the middle read book for our 2025 Big Read program. It is a fantasy novel that reimagines Les Misérables and is inspired by Soontornvat’s Thai heritage. The novel follows Pong, a boy born in a prison who notices things others don’t. After escaping the prison he navigates life in a world where light is a commodity that only the rich can afford. While on the run from the law, Pong discovers that he can use his ability of noticing things to help make life fairer.
Why This Book is Important
As kids today get more enamored with technology, reading month becomes even more important. Reading doesn’t just foster imagination and creativity, it also teaches children empathy. Furthermore, spending time reading instead of in front of a screen increases kids’ attention spans and gives them better language skills.
A Wish in the Dark helps foster a love of reading not just because it is a fun and exciting story, but also because it is very relatable. While kids might not understand living in a marginalized society, or what it would be like if one man controlled light, they do understand fairness, friendship, and fighting for what they believe in.
But Soontornvat’s book isn’t just for middle-aged readers. Adults reading it will notice not just the issue of fairness, but of social injustice. Not just friendship and fighting for what you believe in, but the deep ties of loyalty within a friendship and believing in the importance of change even when others do not notice the need for a change.
The Visit
While talking to local schools, Christina Soontornvat discussed the inspiration behind A Wish in the Dark, most of which come from details that are inspired by her family and culture. After Pong escapes prison, he spends time at a Temple. This is reminiscent of Soontornvat’s father’s time as a monk when he was a teenager in Thailand. Towards the end of the novel, Pong sees an old man diving for lobsters. Soontornvat’s father told stories of her grandfather diving for lobsters to her when she was young. It’s little details like this, ones that come from the author’s history and heart, that make A Wish in the Dark such a potent book.
Key Takeaways
Today, novels like Soontornvat’s matter because they encourage readers to think about right and wrong. A Wish in the Dark explores equality in a fantasy world that keeps readers engaged, and challenges our ideas of law and leaders.
The post Looking Back at Reading Month: Christina Soontornvat’s Visit appeared first on Big Read Lakeshore.
