School Library Journal

DJ and Gina, just ordinary kids, are back with their friend, Hilo, an extraordinary robot, in this second installment. Hilo is just settling into life on Earth, learning about bowling and knock-knock jokes, when strange portals begin opening up all over town. Bizarre creatures, like a giant mutant chicken, a Viking hippo, a magical warrior cat, and one million killer vegetables, come through the portals, and the people of Earth are in danger. Hilo, DJ, and Gina must figure out how to send these creatures back to their worlds before they destroy the planet. As in the first installment, this book has diverse characters, loyal friends, full-color illustrations, fast-paced adventure, humorous text, and a cliff-hanging ending that will have readers cheering for these graphic novel heroes and eager for the third volume. VERDICT For readers who enjoy “Big Nate” (HarperCollins), “Bone” (Image Comics), “Jedi Academy” (Scholastic), and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (Abrams), this series is a must-have next read.—Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN