Saving Sorya Chang and the Sun Bear

Saving Sorya Chang and the Sun Bear

By Trang Nguyen, Illustrated by Jeet Zdung (Dial Books)
  • Fiction
  • Set in Vietnam

Keywords: graphic novel, wildlife, activism, conservation

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 Soryathe sun bear she raised from infancyback 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!

2021 Junior Library Guild Selection

2021 Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books

National Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration