by Judd Winick
Part of Hilo, book 1
First published 2016
D.J. and Gina live ordinary lives until a strange boy named Hilo plummets from the sky into their world. Hilo has no memory of his origins or why he ended up on Earth. He also lacks basic knowledge about human customs, like why wearing only underwear to school creates problems. The three kids become friends as they try to piece together Hilo's mysterious past. Their investigation becomes urgent when they realize Hilo might not be the only visitor from space to reach their planet. Other things have fallen to Earth, and these arrivals could pose dangers. D.J. and Gina must help Hilo navigate everyday challenges like surviving a school day while also uncovering the truth about where he came from. The story follows their attempts to solve the puzzle of Hilo's identity and deal with whatever else might have followed him to Earth. At its heart, this is a tale about three kids forming an unlikely friendship while facing extraordinary circumstances together.
Genres: adventure, action, aliens
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
192 pages · Paperback · Puffin