School Library Journal

The adventures of Hilo and his friends DJ and Gina continue in this latest, satisfying installment of the series. Humanoid robot Hilo is joined by his sister, Izzy, who has a talent for creating functioning automatons. When giant, menacing robots start rising from the ground, Hilo and his friends must stop them. Izzy’s ridiculous inventions, such as a skunk that makes popcorn, will have readers laughing. Like earlier volumes, this story is a perfect blend of excitement, mystery, and empowerment, with a strong but never preachy message of self-acceptance. Though Izzy is described as weird, she is embraced for her quirks; Gina works up the courage to stand up to her mother. Colorful and action-packed illustrations paired with easy-to-follow dialogue make this an excellent choice for readers just beginning to explore graphic novels. A surprise ending will leave fans anxiously anticipating the next book. VERDICT A fantastic addition to elementary graphic novel collections. Purchase where the series is popular.—Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX