Beware The Moon...

It's a scientific fact that our canine friends while having the same five senses as humans, have increased levels of those senses.  Perhaps the most noticeable is that of smelling and hearing.  But those of us who have spent years in companionship with dogs know that they have a sixth sense, if you will, that knows when something is present that we can not detect.  They have an uncanny ability to perceive when there will be a shift in the commonplace; a connection to the natural world that has been forgotten and lost by us. 

Mox, know as Scruffy to his people, has been sent outside for the night confused about his typical dog behavior that was unacceptable to one of his people.  In the darkness he hears the voice of his old friend, Daeden.  Daeden, a stray living on the streets, assists in his escape to freedom. Mox's freedom comes with a price.  He begins having terrifying visions of mass destruction with a Red Moon ever present.

What they need and need soon is advice as to what is triggering these images and causing Mox to go in a frenzy when they appear.  The self-serving crow, Krigg, offers his frightening interpretation which nearly changes the course our Terrier-Schnauzer hero takes.  At Daeden's urging they travel beyond known borders deep into the dense, dark forest seeking the counsel of a coyote, Kaalem.  He warns them of Krigg:  You would be wise not to associate with that one.  He has BAD friends and even WORSE enemies.  He cares little for EITHER.  But he does offer them hope in the the form of a council; a council of great creatures that rule the world's regions that are called together in a time of need.  This is that time.  The Sacred Rock of their meetings is close.

With increased urgency our two friends traverse over land and on the sea in their quest to comprehend what the Om-tira, the language of the spirits of nature, is saying to Mox. It is a rare gift, these visions, and Mox has been chosen.  It has been said that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Mox, despite his stature, rises to unimaginable heights with a heart strong in courage and filled with love. 

Fantasy, yes, but this is more importantly a story of apocalyptic proportions where the least shall become larger than life if humans only choose to not ignore what the world around them is saying. 
Well, they're clearly trying to tell us something, and it seems rather important.  My guess, as is much of the scientific community's is that it's geological in nature and they're sensing something as they would an earthquake or tidal wave.  However, what it also tells us is that it will be something that we've never seen in recorded history...

As an author, McAdoo has crafted as fine a tale as one could want but his illustrations in this first self-published graphic novel, Red Moon, are a visual celebration.  Readers will devour this black and white feast spread before them hungrily.  David McAdoo has drawn panels that collage small vignettes of time passing, soul revealing eye close-ups and two page panoramas that are breathtaking. As the only color, the Red Moon, appears more frequently tension mounts as does the readers' appetite for a satisfying conclusion to this thrilling tale.

What's not to love about a dog that saves the world?  Multiple copies are making their way to our middle school.  Plus I am getting one of my very own so I can read it again and again.

Red Moon received a starred review in the July 2010 issue of Booklist, a recommended review on the School Library Journal blog on June 10, 2010 and made the School Library Journal The Best Comics for Kids list on December 15, 2010.   Please read this interview of David McAdoo on the School Library Journal blog.

My sincere thanks to Mr. McAdoo for granting me permission to post these images from his novel.