A Blood Moon

Gr 4-6–Feba, a wolf cub, is all alone. Her late mother’s pack doesn’t want her. They believe the color of her white fur has cursed them all. To save them, and her own life, she decides to run away. With the help of Usha, a loner leopard, and Batu, a wildcat, she learns to believe in herself, which comes in handy when her pack is targeted by the real cause of their misfortunes. Don’t be misled by the cute animals on the cover, this graphic novel tackles some tough topics. Meroz uses tropes familiar to kids, borrowed from classic animated films, to tell a more complex story. The beautiful artwork by Fogel is another step in the Disney direction, especially in the fantastic full-page spreads. With accessible art and a compelling narrative, this first volume will hook readers. While the content is not quite at a Watership Down level of intensity, those familiar with Erin Hunter’s “Warriors” series will pick up on the similarities, and fans of that long-running series will find a new obsession here.