Haru, Zombie Dog Hero - by Ellen Oh

About the Book

"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."--Publisher's description.

Book Synopsis

"Tender character relationships between both pup and human, and the myriad fully realized animals Haru meets along his journey, combine for a multilayered and thoroughly heartfelt must-read."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Oh covers heavy, relevant topics in this tense middle-grade novel, informing young readers about animal cruelty, environmental pollution caused by biotechnology facilities, and racial microaggressions within social-economic classes." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Ellen Oh of Spirit Hunters delivers this spooky middle grade novel about the friendship between a Korean American boy and his dog, Haru--who becomes a zombie! Fans of Frankenweenie will enjoy this scary yet heartwarming read.

Even though the world is changing and zombie attacks are on the rise, the bond between this boy and his dog remains strong, and when their town is threatened, Haru must rescue them all. Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award Honor for Children's Literature, Ellen Oh delivers another standout story.

Eleven-year-old Luke and his dog, Haru, are the best of friends. Totally inseparable. But when their nasty landlord falsely accuses Haru of biting her, Haru is kidnapped!

As Luke and his friends go on a serious mission to find and bring Haru home again, they discover mysterious experiments happening at the old laboratory at Painted Lake, owned by an evil multibillionaire named Mr. Thomas Sinclair. And Luke and his friends soon fear that Sinclair's scientists could be doing illegal testing that may endanger Haru and their whole town.

As more strange clues emerge, the boys realize their world is changing fast, and soon Painted Lake is plagued by zombie attacks. But the love between Luke and Haru endures, ultimately helping to save them all.

Review Quotes

"Tender character relationships between both pup and human, and the myriad fully realized animals Haru meets along his journey, combine for a multilayered and thoroughly heartfelt must-read." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Oh covers heavy, relevant topics in this tense middle-grade novel, informing young readers about animal cruelty, environmental pollution caused by biotechnology facilities, and racial microaggressions within social-economic classes." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books