When Haru Was Here
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A novel about loneliness, complicated friendships, and what it means to let go by the bestselling author of You've Reached Sam.
After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real and Haru Tanala, a boy he met last summer in Japan, comes back into his life.
In a magical turn of events, Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more and more time together, he begins to question what is real. When he starts losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, Eric must finally confront his reality.
Even if it means losing Haru forever.
Praise for When Haru was Here
'Another heart-wrenching, stunning exploration of love and loss from Dustin Thao . . . Filled with raw emotions, relatable moments, and a touch of enchantment, prepare to have your heart broken and mended by the time the story is over.' ALEX ASTER
'When Haru Was Here is a mind-bending, gut-punching, heart-healing portrait of grief. It's magical how Dustin Thao can make you fall in love with having your heart broken.' ADAM SILVERA
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When Vietnamese American Eric Ly, an aspiring filmmaker, met enigmatic Haru during his high school's international club's annual trip to Japan, they became fast friends, spending the day together but separating before they can share contact information. Fourteen months later, 19-year-old Eric is reeling following the death of his best friend and crush, Daniel. With his sister dropping out of college to go on tour with a band and his parents disengaged from his life, Eric feels abandoned. To cope with his grief, he takes refuge in imagined scenarios, until he's unexpectedly reunited with Haru. It soon becomes clear to Eric, however, that he's the only one who can see Haru, who accompanies Eric on his adventures around Chicago to help break the monotony and isolation of his life. But Eric's new job at a theater box office and the opportunities it presents to interact with the world around him strains the boys' relationship. Though some plot threads are wrapped up too neatly, Thao (You've Reached Sam) casts an intelligent look into the harm and benefits of one teen's coping mechanisms in this sharply depicted exploration of grief and moving on. Ages 12–up.
