Spring (Haru #1)

Insecure Haru, a flightless bird longing to soar, and boar Yama, Haru’s level-headed best friend, dream of escaping the bullying at school and traveling beyond the confines of their home in Latham’s debut graphic novel, first in a trilogy. Unbeknownst to Haru and Yama, however, evil forces threaten their community, thrusting the two unlikely heroes into an adventure to fulfill a prophecy meant to keep the blight and darkness created by a shadowy villain from destroying the world. Yama’s discovery of the Briar Heart, a thorn-covered treasure, sets the duo on a perilous quest to carry the relic through the Malady Mire. After barely escaping the swamp’s ghoulish bog bodies, and being tormented by a gang in a dilapidated mall, the avian and porcine companions continue their trek to the mysterious beacon atop a mountain. And then the Briar Heart begins possessing Yama, urging him to kill Haru. Latham sets this dazzling work in a Tolkeinesque world, employing clever pen and ink drawings awash in luminous colors to deliver a cliffhanger ending that will have readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)