The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret: A novel in words and pictures. New York: Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 9780439813785 | hardcover | 511p. | $22.99 USD

Cover image courtesy of goodreads.com

Annotation:  When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toy seller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.

Book Talk:  Hugo is forced to forage and thieve for survival after a fire leaves him orphaned and living secretly in a train station.  But a special object he keeps hidden behind the huge clocks of the station keeps him going.  Salvaged among burned ruins, this object is the one thing Hugo has left from his father, and he sets to work fixing it in hopes of revealing a message meant only for him from his father.  But what is it? Here is a clue…[open book and slowly show p. 52-59 (automaton sketches in notebook)]  And how will he fix it while living secretly in a train station?  Here are your hints…[show p. 100-101 (his friend Isabelle), p. 32-39 (toy booth owner, Georges) and p. 230-231 (heart shaped key)]  And most importantly, what message will it reveal?  For that, you’ll have to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. 

Don’t pass this book up based on size!  Though 511 pages, its mix of drawings with text make it a quick read.  It’s a magical story you won’t forget!

My favorite things about the book:

The format of the book, text mixed with pencil drawings that focus in page by page, is captivating.  Another special thing about the book is its emphasis on the type of magic that can be found anywhere!

First Sentence:

“From his perch behind the clock, Hugo could see everything.”

Favorite character:

Hugo Cabret

Awards/Honors:

2008 Caldecott Medal
National Book Award Finalist
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
2007 Quill Award Winner

Learn More:

Build your own automata at Scholastic’s Hugo Cabret interactive website!

Author Brian Selznick shares about his drawing process, specifically how he uses light and details to guide the reader into his drawings.