Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant

The creators of Saving Sorya—Vietnamese collaborators Nguyeˆ˜n, a conservationist and activist, and comics artist Zdung—employ richly detailed prose brimming with fascinating STEM facts and scientifically accurate illustrations to produce a standout, heart-tugging work. Chang, a young Vietnamese wildlife conservationist, joins the animal rescue center at Yok Ðon National Park in Tây Nguyên, Vietnam, to learn about elephants through the Animals Asia Foundation. Nearby tourist attractions offer experiences with the animals, but many of these operations are owned by mahouts, or elephant trainers, who mistreat the elephants. When Chang encounters H’non, a 60-year-old captive that suffers from multiple injuries, she endeavors to rescue H’non and deliver her to a kind mahout who can help rehabilitate elephants that have endured lifelong captivity. Wat, a mahout’s son, shows promise, but incidents from his past make Chang reluctant to entrust him with H’non. Flashbacks and Chang’s field notes are rendered in graphite against parchment pages, while present-day events burst with vivid color; the resplendent images’ texture and lighting deliver breathtaking results. Part wildlife journal, part adventure story, this epistolary graphic novel presents a propulsive, intensely researched read. Author notes conclude. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)