Saving H'non: Chang and the Elephant

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

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.

Story Locale:Present-day, near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam

About the Author

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.

Author Residence: Vietnam

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.

Illustrator Residence:Hanoi, Vietnam