The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

Bibliography

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of hugo cabret: A novel in words and pictures (1st ed.). New York: Scholastic Press.  ISBN 0439813786

Plot Summary

Set in a train station in Paris, France in 1931, this is the story of a boy who is more than a thief and a man who is more than a toy maker.  Both have secrets they feel they cannot share.  Watch and read as they come together through hardship, navigate friendships, and finally heal.

Critical Analysis

Selznick marries words and pictures in the 2008 Caldecott Medal book in a fresh and delightful way.  On the pages with words, there are no pictures, and on the pages with pictures, there are no words.  Both work very well.  The black and white illustrations are vital to this novel, they move the story along and provide plot information that the reader must have for the story to make sense.  His pencil drawings are immediately recognizable to people familiar with his work and draw the reader into the story as they pan from wide lens views to extreme close-ups.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is full of suspense which keeps the reader turning pages as they wonder what the importance of the necklace is, what will happen when Hugo is caught, what the mechanical man will write, and what George wants to forget.  Selznick doesn’t moralize in the story as Hugo steals and lies, yet both are portrayed as wrong.  Hugo wonders what his punishment will be for these actions.  When Selznick, literally, draws the story to a close, the reader feels satisfied and can close the book knowing that sometimes things come right in the end.

Review Excerpts

*Publishers Weekly (Starred Review), “a true masterpiece...”

*School Library Journal (Starred Review), “shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking...”

*Horn Book (Starred Review), "There is a bounty of mystery and incident here..."

Connections

*My twelve year old son immediately recognized Brian Selznick as the illustrator from Andrew Clements’ works, even though I did not.  I looked it up, and he is right.  If you have a reluctant reader who loves this book, Andrew Clements may be a wonderful next step.

* “The Intricate, Cinematic World of ‘Hugo Cabret’” on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” This includes an interview with Brian Selznick and excerpt from the book read by the author.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7114977

*For the librarian, get the movie A Trip to the Moon, and show it during a youth program.  Use the book talk below to introduce the book.

*Here is a book talk for Invention.   It includes a video sample.  http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=10617