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Christina Soontornvat‘s middle-grade fantasy and nonfiction have made her one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary children’s and young adult literature. Her journey, from working as a mechanical engineer to becoming a three-time Newbery Honor author, is nothing short of inspiring. Raised in a small Texas town where her family ran a Thai restaurant, Soontornvat has always drawn on her roots, her love of science, and her passion for stories to shape a literary career that bridges cultures, genres, and audiences.
From STEM to Storytelling
Soontornvat holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Trinity University and a master’s in science education from the University of Texas at Austin. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked in a science museum designing educational programs, an experience that continues to shape her creative process. She often compares writing a novel to solving an engineering problem: both require imagination, precision, and a willingness to experiment. Her background in STEM not only informs her nonfiction work but also brings a thoughtful structure to her fiction, particularly in the way she builds immersive worlds and complex, morally rich characters.
Career
Her literary career launched in 2016 with The Changelings, a middle-grade fantasy novel, followed by its sequel, In a Dark Land. These early books established her gift for worldbuilding and her deep empathy for young protagonists. She quickly expanded into other genres and age groups. Her chapter book series, Diary of an Ice Princess (2019–2020), became a hit with younger readers, while her picture books like The Blunders and The Ramble Shamble Children revealed her playful, rhythmic style.
But it was in 2020 that Soontornvat’s work gained national acclaim. Her middle grade fantasy novel A Wish in the Dark—a Thai-inspired reimagining of Les Misérables—received a Newbery Honor for its thoughtful take on justice, power, and redemption. That same year, she published All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team, an impeccably researched nonfiction account of the 2018 rescue mission. It earned both a Newbery Honor and a Sibert Honor, as well as the prestigious Kirkus Prize. In 2022, she followed with The Last Mapmaker, a sweeping tale of adventure and identity, which earned yet another Newbery Honor.
Themes and Style
Her books are often praised not only for their literary quality but also for their emotional intelligence. Reviewers and readers alike have noted how seamlessly she blends excitement and introspection, action and ethical inquiry. Across genres, Soontornvat consistently centers characters who are navigating systems of power, tradition, or expectation, and trying to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Beyond the page, Christina is an engaging public speaker and advocate for diverse voices in publishing. She often discusses the importance of writing from personal and cultural experience. In interviews, she shares fun glimpses of her life: her love of travel, her STEM career background, her family’s influence on her stories, and her belief that every book she writes is ultimately about connection, between people, cultures, and ideas.
Lasting Impact
With her rare combination of heart, intellect, and imagination, Christina Soontornvat’s middle-grade fantasy and nonfiction continue to shape how young readers see the world, and how they see themselves in it. With her rare blend of heart, intellect, and imagination, Christina Soontornvat—Newbery Honor author and STEM storyteller—continues to shape how young readers see the world.
The post Meet Christina Soontornvat : Engineer, Storyteller & Award-Winner appeared first on Big Read Lakeshore.
