Summary
Prasit was a boy who lived in a Thai village on stilts. He played soccer with his friends on a sand bar until they decided to build their own floating field. In the first tournament they ever played in, they were losing at first. However, once they took their shoes off, they came in third place. They found a way to play the sport they loved and were successful against all the odds.
Theme(s):
Teamwork, Determination, Differences
Personal Response
I have seen or heard of this type of floating field before, so it was cool to learn more about one specific boy’s story. I think this book has a relatable premise and connection to soccer but offers a window into a completely different community than Americans. This book reminded me of other books where soccer is central to the story, but I think because it is a true story, it has more depth.
Teaching Ideas
Students could complete STEM activities related to the boys in the book to explore how they got the field to float and how it might be different to play on a floating field instead of on ground. They could also explore why they decided to stop using the sandbar to play soccer. In social studies, students could learn more about soccer’s connection to cultures globally, especially like this year with the World Cup. Lastly, they could write about a problem they want to solve like Prasit.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03
