Head-to-head
In a Class by Himself vs Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom
Both are adventure-comedy series for ages 7-10, but Big Nate is a chapter book with comic elements while Hilo is a full graphic novel.
In a Class by Himself
by Lincoln Peirce
The school-comedy gateway that turns reluctant readers into book-finishers
Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom
by Judd Winick
A robot boy with a dark past fights to prove goodness is a choice, not a design flaw
Score comparison
| Score | In a Class by Himself | Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 68 | 72 | Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom (+4) |
| Parent Score | 53 | 57 | Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom (+4) |
| Teacher Score | 55 | 52 | In a Class by Himself (+3) |
✓ In a Class by Himself — perfect for
- •Kids who loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid and want more illustrated school humor with a confident
- •creative protagonist who never stops trying despite constant setbacks
✓ Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom — perfect for
- •Kids who love action-packed graphic novels with heart. Readers who enjoyed Dog Man's humor will find similar laughs here
- •but with deeper emotional stakes and a protagonist wrestling with questions about identity and choice.
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom scores higher with kids (72 vs 68) — better if your goal is "my kid actually wants to read it."
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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