The Floating Field

How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

On the island of Koh Panyee, in a village built on stilts, there is no open space. How will a group of Thai boys play soccer?

After watching the World Cup on television, a group of Thai boys is inspired to form their own team. But on the island of Koh Panyee, in a village built on stilts, there is no open space. The boys can play only twice a month on a sandbar when the tide is low enough. Everything changes when the teens join together to build their very own floating soccer field.

This inspiring true story by debut author Scott Riley is gorgeously illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien. Perfect for fans of stories about sports, beating seemingly impossible odds, and places and cultures not often shown in picture books.

“A compelling book for football [soccer] fans and readers seeking examples of ingenuity.”—starred, Publishers Weekly

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-7915-6
$14.99
978-1-7284-2736-2
$24.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% when you buy direct!
Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity
Copyright 2021
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2021-03-02
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF054130, JNF038020, JNF051130
Dewey 796.33409593
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 680
Guided Reading Level P
ATOS Reading Level 4.0
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Maps, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Author: Scott Riley

Scott Riley is a teacher and children's book author. Scott has spent nearly thirty years teaching in the US, Indonesia, Czech Republic, and Singapore. Scott draws inspiration from the people he meets and the places he explores while living overseas. His debut picture book The Floating Field was a Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List title, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, and Freeman Book Award winner. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife, two daughters, and one very lively labradoodle.

Illustrator: Kim Lien

Huynh Kim Lien and Phung Nguyen Quang are Vietnamese illustrators who have collaborated on books published in a number of countries, often under the pen name KAA. Their illustrations are influenced by the folk culture of Vietnam and Asia. Visit them at kaaillustration.com.

Illustrator: Nguyen Quang

Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien are Vietnamese illustrators who have collaborated on books published in a number of countries, often under the pen name KAA. Their illustrations are influenced by the folk culture of Vietnam and Asia. Visit them at kaaillustration.com.

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Awards

  • Read Aloud Indiana Program Selection, Winner, 2024
  • Illinois Bluestem Award Master List, Long-listed, 2024
  • Prairie Pasque Award Nominee, Nominated, 2023
  • Nutmeg Award, Nominated, 2023
  • Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2023
  • Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards Nominee, Nominated, 2023
  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2022
  • Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, Nominated, 2022
  • Red Clover Picture book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2022
  • Texas Topaz Reading List, Winner, 2022
  • Dogwood Book List for Nonfiction, Nominated, 2022
  • Freeman Book Award, Winner, 2021
  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2021

Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

“[F]illed with happy smiles and strong kicks. . . . A splendid nonfiction picture book.”—starred, The Horn Book Magazine

School Library Journal

“This is a story that presents kids as true problem solvers. . . . an excellent STEM resource.”—starred, School Library Journal

Booklist

“This inspiring tale will appeal to soccer fans, of course, but also has applications for problem solving and determination.”—Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“A compelling book for football [soccer] fans and readers seeking examples of ingenuity.”—starred, Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“An intriguing true story elevated by striking illustrations.”—Kirkus Reviews