Why You Need To Dive Into The First Six Books Of The Hilo Series

Seriously – if you haven’t read the first six books of the Hilo series yet, you’re missing out. Whether you’re a parent or kid looking for a laugh/adventure, these books are the perfect amount of comedy and action. Trust me, once you start reading, you won’t be able to put them down. What more do you want from a series?

The Band of Heroes

First off, it comes down to the characters. Hilo, DJ, Gina, Polly, and Izzy are not just a group of friends; they’re a band of heroes you’ll want to hang with. The friendship between these characters starts strong in Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth; that is where we meet Hilo, a boy who literally falls from the sky. And as soon as Hilo crash-lands on Earth and enlists the help of DJ and Gina, you can tell that there is something special about this trio. By the time you reach Book 6: All the Pieces Fit, these characters feel like your best friends; and each book feels as if it adds another layer to their relationships.

Hilo, with all his bumbling cuteness is just a lovable character you can’t help but get behind. And DJ? He is, essentially, your Everyman buddy barely hanging on in a suddenly super crazy world now that Hilo has come to town. And oh, Gina is tough and very intelligent; she shines particularly in Book 2: Saving the Whole Wide World where her role within the group goes to another level. Polly, who brings an extraterrestrial spark to the group, and Izzy, whose introduction in Book 3: The Great Big Boom makes our team complete.

Laughter and Heart

Now the core of it – the fun. These books are genuinely some serious funny stuff. Book 1 sets the tone, as Hilo comically struggles to understand Earth pop culture in a way that will leave you laughing with your kids over his dialogue; and much of this first book is packed full of one-liners shared by all its major characters. Yet what to love about the humor in Hilo is that it does not detract from the story—it adds a layer of excitement. It’s the feel-good humor. And you feel that you’re in on the joke with your best friends.

But not everything is fun and games. The series also knows how to pull at your heartstrings. There is a moment in Book 5: Then Everything Went Wrong when Izzy gives her empathy to Hilo which changes their whole dynamic. It’s emotional and it packs a punch making you realize how much these characters value their bond to each other. You’ll be laughing one minute and holding your breath the next. That’s the magic of Hilo.

Epic Adventures

And then we have the story which… just wow! Judd Winick has created an amazing world. Like Book 3: The Great Big Boom here the group is all blown into another dimension. It’s a mix of the everyday and the extraordinary, where going to school one day can suddenly turn into an intergalactic adventure the next. Like when in Book 6: All the Pieces Fit, we are shown more about Hilo and his mysterious, hidden past (and just what he’s doing on earth at all) has us falling over jaw-dropped. And The unpredictable twists will keep you gasping for breath..

In Book 4: Waking the Monsters the gang goes to Polly’s world to rescue Gina? Yeah, that was epic and not just any rescue mission. That, along with some crazy action and suspense and Hilo’s absolutely mind-blowing history! Also, we learn that Izzy arrived on the same planet as Polly 100,000 years ago. That’s right – 100,000 years!! The scale of this story is huge, and it’s that kind of twists that makes you want to jump right into the next book.

A Perfect Blend of Fun and Drama

The best thing about the Hilo series is that it can be so much fun with moments of real drama. These books are a riot, from the hijinks of Hilo in Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth to the group’s friendly ribbing in Book 4: Waking the Monsters, but they never back down when it comes to the serious stuff either. There are dramatic events, such as Izzy’s self-sacrifice in Book 5: Then Everything Went Wrong or Dr. Horizon’s facing his past, add emotional weight to the story, sticking with readers long after they turn the last page.

balance of fun and drama really makes this series a must read for any age group. Middle grade readers will enjoy the wonders and amusing escapades, with older ones beginning to see a more complex narrative forming around themes of belonging or identity. It’s a series that grows with its audience, where there’s always something more to be found when you come back.

Characters Who Feel Like Family

Of Course it’s not always about the big- epic moments. The series does a terrific job of making even the smallest, ordinary moments count. The parents in these books are a case in point. These aren’t just older people sitting at the back of action – they end up adding warmth, comedy and tangibility to a furious interstellar capers. The way they respond to the insanity their kids get into will melt your insides some, but it works, and it serves to bring a family element into these adventures. This is key in Book 2: Saving The Whole Wide World where parents start playing a bigger part of the story.

The parents aren’t just comic relief; they become an essential element of what makes the series feel natural, even when the characters are travelling through space and dimensions. They bring great comfort especially in the midst of all this crazy and you can just tell, they really love their kids. These are the kinds of things that help elevate Hilo from a fun read into something with real depth.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out

So why should you be reading these books? Because they are the right amount of fun, adventure and heart. There are so many stories getting told in the Hilo series and a little something for everyone with all of the laughs, action or emotional depth. These are the kinds of books that you can go back to read again and again. Ideal as a gift for young readers (and yourself).

So go ahead, pick of this series – The Boy Who Crashed to Earth, Saving the Whole Wide World, The Great Big Boom, Waking the Monsters, Then Everything Went Wrong, and All the Pieces Fit – and prepare yourself for a thrilling ride that’ll have you laughing and caring with as many twists along its way…. and neither will the readers you’ll be recommending them to.

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