Ellen Oh, author of Spirit Hunters and winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award Honor for Children’s Literature, delivers a new spooky middle grade novel about the friendship between a Korean American boy and his dog, Haru—who has become a zombie! Even though the world is changing and zombie attacks are on the rise, their bond remains strong. And when their town is threatened, Haru must come to the rescue. Fans of Frankenweenie will enjoy this scary yet heartwarming read!
Eleven-year-old Luke and his dog, Haru, are the best of friends. Luke’s parents own a local grocery store in Virginia and live above the store. Luke and Haru go everywhere together, but the landlord, Mrs. Greene, hates animals and hates Haru. One stormy day, Mrs. Greene argues with Luke, and Haru runs out to defend him. She screams and falls, quickly calling the police. Even though Haru didn’t bite her, the officers take Haru away.
But instead of being put down at the animal shelter, the officers send Haru to a local laboratory. The lab is owned by a multibillionaire, Anton Sinclair, who is determined to find a formula that will keep him alive forever. Sinclair’s scientists give Haru an immortality serum that kills him. But what they don’t know is that Haru comes back to life, digs himself out of the ground, and heads home to Luke. He has become a zombie dog. Though he acts differently, he is still the same sweet lovable dog he’s always been. And though the world is changing and zombie attacks are on the rise, the friendship between Haru and Luke endures, helping to save them all.
Category Mystery, Thrills, and Chills Elementary Plus
Pages Count 176
Topics Zombies. Dogs. Friendship. Family life. Racism. Korean Americans. Virginia.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-07-10
JLG Release Date Sep 2023
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Mystery, Thrills, and Chills Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
Mystery, Thrills, and Chills Elementary Plus
Mystery, Thrills, and Chills Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
A high-interest collection of mystery and adventure titles for older elementary readers. These action-packed stories feature intriguing puzzles, daring journeys, spooky situations, and suspenseful plotlines that keep readers turning pages. With clever clues, memorable characters, and fast-paced storytelling, this category encourages independent reading and strong comprehension skills.