Gr 4–6—Inspired by Nguyen's own experiences as a conservationist, this warm, realistic story follows a young
girl named Chang as she attempts to return a sun bear called Sorya to the wild. Fusing traditional Vietnamese art
with manga styles, the lush scenes, stylish overlays, and varied block paneling meld with fact-filled passages for an
inventive and engaging blend of fiction and nonfiction.

This is a beautiful book, with a really well-told story. I love that it is based on some of the author's personal experiences. I love that it is very simply told -- it gets a lot of conservation ideas across at a level that kids can really engage with. I also really love that while Sorya is presented in blurbs as "Chang's best friend", in the book, she is a wild animal. She is not anthropomorphized, and she is not treated like a pet. From day 1, Chang's goal is to teach her how to survive on her own without human interference. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 3-6

Plot Summary: When Chang was just 8 years old, she heard screams from a home. Upon investigation, she saw a bear being held so its bile could be removed with a needle. Traumatized from this event, Chang was devoted to becoming a wildlife conservationist. This wasn't easy because she was a girl (not a boy) in a country that didn't really value wildlife conservation. Yet she fought hard, learned English, practiced drawing, made connections with other conservationists, ate healthy and exercised, and did everything she could until she was hired by The Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. There she learned so much more about her role, got lots of practice, and finally got the opportunity to take care of a sun bear who could eventually be reintroduced to the wild. Can Chang teach the bear how to be wild? Can Chang find the right forest for her beloved Sorya?

Setting: Vietnam

Characters:
Chang - determined, devoted
Sorya - sun bear who was rescued as a cub who needed to be fed with a bottle

Recurring Themes: determination, conservation, wildlife, forestry, sun bears, survival, letting go

Controversial Issues: bile removal?

Personal Thoughts: autobiographical graphic novel

Genre: realistic graphic novel, based on the authors true life, however the author changed her name from Trang to Chang

Pacing: first few pages a little slower but it picks up quickly, graphic novel
Characters: Chang is well developed and many of her authentic emotions are shown through the illustrations
Frame: everything is explained
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

Budding young conservationists will pore over the drawings and adore little Sorya, the sun bear. They won't notice that the narrator's earnest voice and idealism tip into not-quite-credible--Chang seems a little too cozy with the bear she wants to release into the wild. I'm also not sure if the book depicts the child Chang or a very youthful adult Chang--if it's a child, it would be unlikely she could put all that work into saving Sorya. Quibbles aside, this work speaks to kids about conservation and that's not a bad thing. ( )