When Haru Was Here

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. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency. (Sept.)