Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani (review)

Reviewed by: Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani Danica Ronquillo Khiani, Darshana Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions; illus. by Dow Phumiruk. Eerdmans, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780802855473 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 5-9 yrs In the floating village of Koh Panyee, located in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay, a group of boys gather around the television in the village café to watch football (soccer) players compete in the mainland's district tournaments. They dream of forming a team themselves, but their village is surrounded by water, limiting their practice space as well as the support from a community that values boat racing. Undeterred, the boys build a floating pitch on the water using wooden planks, scrap metal, and barrels, where they can practice and reach greater heights for themselves and for their community. Phumiruk's artwork captures the serene atmosphere of southern Thailand, from the textural limestone cliffs to the patterned longboats moving in glistening waters. Angular shapes and straight linework build the network of stilts and wooden houses that make up the community, while aerial perspectives provide a breadth of Thai culture, with villagers wearing casual and traditional clothing as they work in the marketplaces and waterfronts. Khiani's third-person narration emphasizes both the passion and the mechanics needed for organizing such a team, as the boys work to better their balance, ball control, and footing, which leads them to opportunities beyond their imagination. This nonfiction pick reads like a sports underdog story and will empower young readers to overcome challenges and take a leap of faith in their dreams with teamwork and perseverance. Front and end matter include news sources and author and illustrator notes. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois