From the creators behind the Eisner-nominated Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear comes another gorgeously-illustrated graphic novel adventure based on a true story, in which young conservationist Chang overcomes the odds to save and return an elephant to its natural habitat.
While volunteering at a wildlife rescue center near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam, Chang helps rescue an injured and abused Asian elephant named H'Non. For decades, H'Non was forced to haul heavy timber logs and concrete poles at construction sites, and then to carry riders at tourist attractions all day long with no break. While nursing H'Non back to health, Chang is tasked with finding a kind mahout—an elephant trainer—who will teach H'Non how to fend for herself in the wild. Though Chang initially has her doubts about the young mahout she finds, a boy named Wat, H'Non takes to him instantly. And as her friendships with both H'Non and Wat grow, Chang learns what it means to give people a chance, to show up for your friends, and to love openly and forgive compassionately.
Trang Nguyen is a Vietnamese wildlife conservationist, environmental activist, and writer, known for tackling the illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia. In 2018, Trang was featured in the documentary film Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War alongside Jane Goodall. She was selected for BBC’s 100 Women of 2019 list and for the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list. Trang is the founder and executive director of WildAct, an NGO that monitors the illegal wildlife trade markets and provides conservation education programs for Vietnamese youth. She is also the author of the Eisner-nominated middle grade graphic novel Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear.
Jeet Zdung is an author-illustrator who fuses traditional Vietnamese art with manga, using pencils, watercolors, ink, and other digital means to create works of beauty and innovation. He has won several awards, including a Silent Manga Audition Excellence Award for his manga Stand Up and Fly and Vietnam’s national book award for his middle grade graphic novel Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear. He lives in Hanoi, Vietnam.
SELECTION School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
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.”—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
Praise for the companion novel, Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear
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
From the creators behind the Eisner-nominated Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear comes another gorgeously-illustrated graphic novel adventure based on a true story, in which young conservationist Chang overcomes the odds to save and return an elephant to its natural habitat.
While volunteering at a wildlife rescue center near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam, Chang helps rescue an injured and abused Asian elephant named H'Non. For decades, H'Non was forced to haul heavy timber logs and concrete poles at construction sites, and then to carry riders at tourist attractions all day long with no break. While nursing H'Non back to health, Chang is tasked with finding a kind mahout—an elephant trainer—who will teach H'Non how to fend for herself in the wild. Though Chang initially has her doubts about the young mahout she finds, a boy named Wat, H'Non takes to him instantly. And as her friendships with both H'Non and Wat grow, Chang learns what it means to give people a chance, to show up for your friends, and to love openly and forgive compassionately.
Creators
Trang Nguyen is a Vietnamese wildlife conservationist, environmental activist, and writer, known for tackling the illegal wildlife trade in Africa and Asia. In 2018, Trang was featured in the documentary film Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War alongside Jane Goodall. She was selected for BBC’s 100 Women of 2019 list and for the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list. Trang is the founder and executive director of WildAct, an NGO that monitors the illegal wildlife trade markets and provides conservation education programs for Vietnamese youth. She is also the author of the Eisner-nominated middle grade graphic novel Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear.
Jeet Zdung is an author-illustrator who fuses traditional Vietnamese art with manga, using pencils, watercolors, ink, and other digital means to create works of beauty and innovation. He has won several awards, including a Silent Manga Audition Excellence Award for his manga Stand Up and Fly and Vietnam’s national book award for his middle grade graphic novel Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear. He lives in Hanoi, Vietnam.
SELECTION School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Praise
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.”—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
Praise for the companion novel, Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear
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
