Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 01/01/2017 When we last left the protagonists of this series about alien Earth-visitor Hilo (in the second volume, Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World, BCCB 4/16), Hilo’s friend Gina had been sucked into a portal and Hilo and D.J., his other friend, were determined to get her back. While they’re working on that, Hilo’s trying to regain his memories, D.J. is struggling to push past his fears and become a hero, and Polly the warrior cat is still being her irascible self with a smart mouth and a quick fist (fans of Terry Pratchett’s Nac Mac Feegles will find a worthy comparison here). While they do indeed find Gina, getting her home and keeping them all together and in one piece will be a significant challenge, but when have these guys ever backed down from adversity? Winick is a master at adding new characters judiciously while also looping back to explore the established ones in greater depth. Hilo’s mysterious and troubling backstory has been slowly emerging over three graphic novels now, and readers are still only just beginning, as Hilo is, to understand his purpose and how he ended up on Earth. It would be easy to rest on the identifiable elements of the Hilo series, but there is never a sense that the author is coasting-each volume is more engaging, clever, and well developed than the last. Free and loose panel structure and liberal use of bolding letters hype up the drama as needed, and the color profiles change dramatically depending on setting, allowing for the non-Earth locations to feel even more alien. New readers may be just a bit baffled, but it’s an easy sell to get them to go back and start at the beginning volume, and they’ll then join the ranks of those eager for the next outing. AS - Copyright 2017 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2017 Gr 3–5—Hilo the robot boy and his best friend DJ must team up to track down DJ's pal Gina, who was swallowed by a mysterious portal. In the process, Hilo and DJ are reunited with old friends, make new friends, and unearth more secrets from Hilo's past. This third installment in the series delivers humor and cartoony, over-the-top adventures that fans and new readers will delight in. The violence is minimal and more silly than scary. More sophisticated readers will find deeper meaning in Hilo's quest to discover who he is, as well as DJ's attempts to be a good friend and realize what it is he excels at. Full-color artwork on glossy pages completes this bright, cheerful, and just plain fun package. VERDICT This latest in a series that has proven to be a favorite of young readers continues the high standards of the previous volumes. For those who are familiar with the books and newcomers alike.—Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2017 In this third installment, Gina has been sucked into a portal, and D.J. and his robot friend Hilo follow her through in an attempt to rescue her. Landing on a distant planet, the three are reunited with warrior cat Polly, who involves them in a clan war between the magical Furbacks and the unmagical Scale Tails, who may be as dumb as the rocks they eat. Throughout their adventure, Hilo remembers more and more of his past and the function he was created to perform. Winick’s art is cartoonish, with vibrant colors and imaginative settings that bring the alien worlds to life. The multicultural cast of characters is as convincing as the slapstick humor is funny. The volume ends with a satisfying answer to one of the series’ biggest mysteries, setting the reader up nicely for the next story arc. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.