Hilo Book 12

Judd Winick’s career is a testament to the power of storytelling in all its forms. From the colorful pages of graphic novels to the vibrant characters of his children’s books, Winick has carved out a unique space for himself as a versatile creator whose work resonates with audiences of all ages.

Born in Long Island, New York, in 1970, Judd’s journey into the world of storytelling wasn’t a traditional one. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he initially set his sights on the comic strip world. But it was an unexpected turn of events in the 1990s that set him on a path of deeper personal and professional discovery. As a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, Judd formed a profound friendship with Pedro Zamora, an AIDS educator whose life and tragic death left an indelible mark on him. This friendship inspired his first major work, Pedro and Me, a groundbreaking graphic novel that explored themes of loss, friendship, and the AIDS crisis. The book’s raw emotional depth and authenticity earned it critical acclaim and multiple awards, including a GLAAD Media Award and a Sibert Honor.

Hilo

In the Hilo series, adventure begins when an unlikely hero crashes to Earth. Hilo, a boy with no memory of his origins, isn’t just an ordinary kid—he’s the key to unraveling a world of strange mysteries and unexpected dangers. As he teams up with his best friends, DJ and Gina, the trio embarks on a journey that blends the whimsical with the perilous. What starts as a simple quest for answers quickly spirals into a cosmic adventure, where friendship, bravery, and the search for identity take center stage.