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Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Author Trang Nguyen, Jeet Zdung
Illustrated by Jeet Zdung
Hardcover
$23.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
10.5"W x 7.56"H x 0.58"D   | 22 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Sep 14, 2021 | 128 Pages | 978-0-593-35363-9
Age 8-12 years
Reading Level: Lexile 650L | Fountas & Pinnell X
FOC Aug 16, 2021 | Catalog July 2021
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* "Perfect for animal-loving fans of Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan and Rosanne Parry’s A Wolf Called Wander."—School Library Journal, starred review

An ALA Top Ten and Eisner-nominated middle grade graphic novel adventure based on a true story, about a young conservationist who overcomes the odds to save and return a sun bear to its natural habitat.

When endlessly curious and tenacious Chang discovers a bear bile farm near her home in Vietnam, she decides to do everything she can to save wild animals—by becoming a conservationist! After teaching herself survival skills, documenting each rainforest plant and animal she sees in her field notebook, and disproving the critics who think she isn’t old enough or strong enough, Chang is finally accepted as a rescue center volunteer. But her toughest challenge yet comes when she’s tasked with returning Sorya—the sun bear she raised from infancy—back into the wild. Because despite being a different species, Sorya is Chang’s best friend. And letting a friend go is never easy . . . even when it’s the right thing to do.

With breathtaking art and STEM facts galore, Chang’s daring story is for any young reader, animal lover, and intrepid explorer!
Trang Nguyen, born in Vietnam, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a wildlife conservationist and environmental activist. She obtained her PhD in Biodiversity Management from the University of Cambridge and is the founder and CEO of WildAct, a non-profit that helps monitor illegal wildlife trade markets. For her advocacy, Nguyen was awarded the prestigious Future for Nature Award in 2018 and named by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2019. This is her first children's book.

Jeet Zdung is an award-winning illustrator who fuses traditional Vietnamese art with manga, using pencils, watercolors, ink, and other digital means to create works of beauty and innovation. Courageous Chang, Defender of Bears is his first children's book published in the US. He resides in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trang Nguyen View titles by Trang Nguyen
Jeet Zdung View titles by Jeet Zdung
  • SELECTION
    American Library Association Literary Awards
  • HONOR
    Eisner Awards
  • SELECTION
    Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
  • FINALIST
    ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • HONOR
    Freeman Book Award - Children’s Literature
  • SHORTLIST
    Carnegie Medal
  • SELECTION
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION
    Junior Library Guild Selection
  • SELECTION
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION
    Rhode Island Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION
    National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children
American Library Association's Best Graphic Novels for Children Top Ten
Eisner Award honor
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlist
Vietnam National Book Award winner
Junior Library Guild selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books
School Library Journal Best Books
Texas' Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List selection
Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Award
Rhode Island Children's Book Award
ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Society’s Outstanding Book Award finalist
Freeman Book Awards honor
National Science Teaching Association's Outstanding Science Trade Books

* “Uplifting . . . the epitome of wild and free. . . . Breathtaking visuals and a compelling story.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “Triumphant. . . . Heartfelt. . . . Stirring and gorgeously rendered, this eco-conscious tale is a superb purchase for all libraries.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“A beautiful, moving and uplifting tale of perseverance and overcoming challenge, and how small steps can make a big difference.”—BookTrust

“A perfect pick for animal lovers and young conservationists.”—Booklist

“Expressive, expansive.”—The Horn Book


Praise for the companion novel, Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant
**Four starred reviews**
Kirkus Reviews Best Books
School Library Journal Best Books
Nerdy Book Club Award
USBBY Outstanding International Books
WORLD Magazine Nonfiction Children's Books of the Year
Blueberry Award Honor

*“Fans of Saving Sorya will be gratified to see Chang continue to fight for the animals she loves. The empathy and perseverance on display make this as beautiful an animal rights book as readers will ever see. Stirs the mind and heart the way an elephant quakes the earth.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
*“An exceptionally well-done story that is informative, intricately and delightfully detailed, and brimming with jaw-dropping art. Highly recommended.”—School Library Journal, starred review
 
*“A standout, heart-tugging work. . . . Part wildlife journal, part adventure story, this epistolary graphic novel presents a propulsive, intensely researched read.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

*“Wondrously produced . . . An empathic, desperate plea for humans to reengage our humanity and help all wild animals live free.”—Booklist, starred review

“The emotional story of H’Non’s recovery is conveyed through detail-packed illustrations . . . building a complex portrait of the sometimes destructive, sometimes harmonious interactions between humans and nature.”—Horn Book

About

* "Perfect for animal-loving fans of Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan and Rosanne Parry’s A Wolf Called Wander."—School Library Journal, starred review

An ALA Top Ten and Eisner-nominated middle grade graphic novel adventure based on a true story, about a young conservationist who overcomes the odds to save and return a sun bear to its natural habitat.

When endlessly curious and tenacious Chang discovers a bear bile farm near her home in Vietnam, she decides to do everything she can to save wild animals—by becoming a conservationist! After teaching herself survival skills, documenting each rainforest plant and animal she sees in her field notebook, and disproving the critics who think she isn’t old enough or strong enough, Chang is finally accepted as a rescue center volunteer. But her toughest challenge yet comes when she’s tasked with returning Sorya—the sun bear she raised from infancy—back into the wild. Because despite being a different species, Sorya is Chang’s best friend. And letting a friend go is never easy . . . even when it’s the right thing to do.

With breathtaking art and STEM facts galore, Chang’s daring story is for any young reader, animal lover, and intrepid explorer!

Creators

Trang Nguyen, born in Vietnam, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a wildlife conservationist and environmental activist. She obtained her PhD in Biodiversity Management from the University of Cambridge and is the founder and CEO of WildAct, a non-profit that helps monitor illegal wildlife trade markets. For her advocacy, Nguyen was awarded the prestigious Future for Nature Award in 2018 and named by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2019. This is her first children's book.

Jeet Zdung is an award-winning illustrator who fuses traditional Vietnamese art with manga, using pencils, watercolors, ink, and other digital means to create works of beauty and innovation. Courageous Chang, Defender of Bears is his first children's book published in the US. He resides in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Trang Nguyen View titles by Trang Nguyen
Jeet Zdung View titles by Jeet Zdung

Awards

  • SELECTION
    American Library Association Literary Awards
  • HONOR
    Eisner Awards
  • SELECTION
    Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
  • FINALIST
    ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • HONOR
    Freeman Book Award - Children’s Literature
  • SHORTLIST
    Carnegie Medal
  • SELECTION
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION
    Junior Library Guild Selection
  • SELECTION
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION
    Rhode Island Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION
    National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children

Praise

American Library Association's Best Graphic Novels for Children Top Ten
Eisner Award honor
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlist
Vietnam National Book Award winner
Junior Library Guild selection
Kirkus Reviews Best Books
School Library Journal Best Books
Texas' Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List selection
Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Award
Rhode Island Children's Book Award
ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Society’s Outstanding Book Award finalist
Freeman Book Awards honor
National Science Teaching Association's Outstanding Science Trade Books

* “Uplifting . . . the epitome of wild and free. . . . Breathtaking visuals and a compelling story.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “Triumphant. . . . Heartfelt. . . . Stirring and gorgeously rendered, this eco-conscious tale is a superb purchase for all libraries.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“A beautiful, moving and uplifting tale of perseverance and overcoming challenge, and how small steps can make a big difference.”—BookTrust

“A perfect pick for animal lovers and young conservationists.”—Booklist

“Expressive, expansive.”—The Horn Book


Praise for the companion novel, Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant
**Four starred reviews**
Kirkus Reviews Best Books
School Library Journal Best Books
Nerdy Book Club Award
USBBY Outstanding International Books
WORLD Magazine Nonfiction Children's Books of the Year
Blueberry Award Honor

*“Fans of Saving Sorya will be gratified to see Chang continue to fight for the animals she loves. The empathy and perseverance on display make this as beautiful an animal rights book as readers will ever see. Stirs the mind and heart the way an elephant quakes the earth.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
*“An exceptionally well-done story that is informative, intricately and delightfully detailed, and brimming with jaw-dropping art. Highly recommended.”—School Library Journal, starred review
 
*“A standout, heart-tugging work. . . . Part wildlife journal, part adventure story, this epistolary graphic novel presents a propulsive, intensely researched read.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

*“Wondrously produced . . . An empathic, desperate plea for humans to reengage our humanity and help all wild animals live free.”—Booklist, starred review

“The emotional story of H’Non’s recovery is conveyed through detail-packed illustrations . . . building a complex portrait of the sometimes destructive, sometimes harmonious interactions between humans and nature.”—Horn Book

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

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