- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–11
- Fantasy
Hilo: Rise of the Cat
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Book 10 in HiloView the full series
A Polly-focused magical school spin within the main Hilo sequence, starring Hilo's warrior-cat friend at Wombatton Academy of Better Magic. Great for readers who like Hilo's humour but want a more fantasy-school flavour.
- Best for7–11
- FormatGraphic
- Length240 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr55 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Exciting
- Adventurous
- Whimsical
- Heartwarming
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Polly the magical warrior cat has got herself into trouble. After repeatedly breaking the rules, she is sent to Wombatton Academy of Better Magic, a boarding school for magical beings who struggle to control their powers. At first, this sounds like a punishment, but something strange is happening at the academy: Polly's roommate Noria is being picked on, students are disappearing, and the school may not be as safe as it looks. This tenth Hilo book takes a partial side-step from Hilo, D.J. and Gina to centre Polly, giving the series a funny magical-school mystery. It still feels like Hilo, bright colours, quick jokes, action, odd creatures and a big heart, but it is more fantasy than robot sci-fi. Polly's arc gives children a good story about self-control, fitting in, defending others and choosing what kind of powerful creature you want to be.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 7–11
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 7–11
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: bullying.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Magic school
- Cat character
- Funny graphic novel
- Polly fans
- Reluctant readers
Avoid if
- Prefers hilo as main focus
- Wants robot adventure only
- Sensitive to bullying
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
- Struggling with reading
- Making friends
- Being bullied
- Neurodiversity or learning differences
In the classroom
How it works in school.
A funny, action-packed sci-fi comic series — a top reluctant-reader hook and classroom-library favourite.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific kick is Polly at magic school — the wise-cracking warrior cat sent to Wombatton Academy of Better Magic for breaking rules, discovering students are disappearing and her roommate is being bullied. The Hilo spin-off for a child who'd happily read about Polly all day.
- Animal companions
- Friendship and belonging
- Magic powers
- Making a difference
- Proving yourself
Why parents love it
The Polly-led Hilo spin-off — magical boarding school setting, mystery overlay, slightly more fantasy than the main series. Reliable late-series entry; works well for a child who loved Polly in the main run and wants more of her.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
- Conversation starter
In the series
Hilo.
11 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Judd Winick.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
Where you’ll find it