The Invention of Hugo Cabret

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Selznick, Brian. 2007. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.  ISBN 978-0-439-81378-5 (hardcover).   

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Award winning author and illustrator, Brian Selznick, has once again created a unique, spell-binding novel for 9-12 year olds, innovatively told through a blend of text, drawings, and photographs with the drama of cinema woven throughout. His carefully constructed story tells the adventures of the clever, twelve-year-old orphan, Hugo Cabret, accidental timekeeper of the 1931 Paris railroad station, as he pursues the completion of his dead father’s final project, an automaton, culminating in the invention of Hugo himself as a young man. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The well-paced story is thoughtful and endearing. Selznick develops characters that readers can empathize with, gently teaching the rewards of loyalty, persistence, diligence, honesty, courage, and hard work. Two stories, first of Hugo and then of Georges Méliès, are told within the novel, because, as Selznick writes, “stories lead to other stories.” The various mysteries will keep readers turning the page: Who is the girl? What happened to the notebook? Why is the toy shop man so against Hugo’s ambitions? At 534 pages, young readers will finish the story with a sense of accomplishment for having read the large yet entertaining book.

Not strictly a chapter book with its abundant illustrations, it is more graphic novel or picture book, yet exudes a strong feeling for the cinema arts, all of which work together to produce a unique reading experience one will not want to miss. The text is framed on two page spreads as if from a silent movie, and stills, both drawings and historical photographs, convey the feeling of the cinema. Selznick’s well-composed, emotive shades-of-grey pencil drawings add texture, mystery, and drama, especially in sequences such as the approaching train. Readers are drawn into the adventures through the drawings, as they look over the shoulders of the characters to watch events unfold, such as the automaton performing its magic. Photographs incorporated from real events of the time period, such as the train wreck and stills from George Méliès and his films, add drama and realism to the story. Overall, the illustrations convey mood and the sensation of watching a silent movie while reading the book, resulting in an innovative expansion of the idea of what constitutes a novel.

Be sure to check out the companion website to learn more about the author, the real magician and moviemaker, Georges Méliès, automata, and the upcoming movie based on the book at http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com. 

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal
National Book Award Finalist
#1 New York Times Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
#1 BookSense Bestseller
New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
Kirkus Best Book of 2007
New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing
American Library Association Notable Children's Book
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
2007 Quill Award Winner in the Children's Chapter/Middle Grade category

Starred review in The Horn Book: “Complete genius.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “Breathtaking.”

Starred review in The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: “An original and creative integration of art and text.”

Starred review in Kirkus Reviews: “Fade to black and cue the applause!”

New York Times Book Review: “It’s wonderful. Take that overused word literally: Hugo Cabret evokes wonder.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Explore robots and automata. What are they capable of?  How are they made?

*Watch an old silent movie or excerpt, particularly one of Georges Méliès’ films, such as A Trip to the Moon or Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last.

*Investigate Paris of the Third Republic time period. Develop maps and plot landmarks using Google Books, Google Images, and Google Maps.

*Learn more about magicians and their tricks, such as card tricks.

*Discuss mythologies and superstitions mentioned in the book, such as the Man on the Moon.

*Other series books about children surviving by their wits:

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. ISBN 978-0-545-06967-0

Snicket, Lemony. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1). ISBN 978-0-064-40766-3

*Other related books:
Charlip, Remy. Fortunately. ISBN 978-0-689-71660-7

Wood, Gaby. Edison’s Eve. ISBN 978-1-400-03158-0

Clee, Paul. Before Hollywood ISBN 0-618-44533-1

Sinclair, George. Historic Maps and Views of Paris. ISBN 978-1-579-12798-5