Rise of the Cat (Hilo #10) by Judd Winick. Random House Kids, 2024. 9780593488126
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5
Format: Hardcover graphic novel
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, adventure
What did you like about the book? This is the tenth installment in the Hilo graphic novel series. Rise of the Cat focuses on Polly and Pip Korimako, magic-wielding cat siblings that take no guff from anyone. The story is set on the Planet of Oshun. The council of magic sends the siblings to Wombatton Academy as punishment for breaking rules. Polly proclaims: “I don’t run off willy-nilly and just do things. If there’s a problem, I try to fix it…And when people are in a bind, I help.” At Wombatton, they fight prejudice against robots and solve a mystery of missing students.
In between magic fights and fart jokes, there are sweet emotional moments. The young protagonists are trying their best to support one another in extraordinary circumstances. While many adventure stories feature orphans or children with absentee parents, Polly and Pip have the entire Korimako family behind them. Be prepared to laugh, to groan, and to cheer on these cats as they fight injustice across the galaxy!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers ages 8-12. This funny graphic novel adventure series is great for fans of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke and Catstronauts by Drew Brockington.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries, elementary schools, middle schools
Where would you shelve it? Children’s graphic novels
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Colleen Stewart, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: April 20, 2024
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