The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Selznick, Brian
ISBN-13 978-0439813785
ISBN-10 0439813786
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2007
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 820 Lexile
Interest Age: 10 and up
Reader's Annotation:
When his father dies, Hugo must fend for himself and create an environment to survive in. He finds a secret out in the process that could change his life forever.
Plot Summary:
The first forty five pages of this book are simply pictures. The story is told in pictures and words at the same time. Because of this, the reader needs to interpret many things they would not need to do with words. This book starts out about a boy who hides in a train station behind the clock. His father was the keeper of the clock before he died and the boy now continues the work. Hugo keeps his life a secret and no one knows his father is gone. This is working well until the granddaughter of a toy salesman spots Hugo stealing and hiding in the clock. By simply knowing he is there, she is threatening his safety. She becomes intrigued and wants to know more about Hugo. As time goes on, secrets are revealed about Hugo's past, his father, and a wind up doll. The two uncover something that links them together and brings to light the confusing pieces of their existence.
Critical Evaluation:
Selznick is an amazing author and writer. His illustrations have such detail in them that the reader does not need words to understand what is going on. He zooms in on the important parts and leaves out details that do not matter. This book is a very interesting reading experience because the mind needs to flip back and forth between pictures and a story. Selznick's words are centered on each page. This is an interesting format because most pages start at the top and work their way down. Some pages have a full page of text and others have only two sentences. This is meaningful in the story because some of the pictures need an explanation before the next one. This book would be great for reluctant or low readers because it is an interesting story with breakups in the wording. All readers will enjoy this book though, there is something magical about the world of Hugo.
About the Author:
Brian Selznick was born in 1966 in New Jersey. He has a brother and a sister who are both successful as well. He grew up and studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. After college, Selznick began working in a children's book store which is where he began to love children's books. He worked for a man named Steve Geck who taught him much of what he knows about children's books. He currently lives in New York and California.
Curriculum Ties:
This book could be used in schools for many different purposes including story telling though pictures. Art teachers could use it for his artistry skills and English classes could look at the literary elements and formatting used.
The first forty five pages of this book are simply pictures. The story is told in pictures and words at the same time. Because of this, the reader needs to interpret many things they would not need to do with words. This book starts out about a boy who hides in a train station behind the clock. His father was the keeper of the clock before he died and the boy now continues the work. Hugo keeps his life a secret and no one knows his father is gone. This is working well until the granddaughter of a toy salesman spots Hugo stealing and hiding in the clock. By simply knowing he is there, she is threatening his safety. She becomes intrigued and wants to know more about Hugo. As time goes on, secrets are revealed about Hugo's past, his father, and a wind up doll. The two uncover something that links them together and brings to light the confusing pieces of their existence.
Critical Evaluation:
Selznick is an amazing author and writer. His illustrations have such detail in them that the reader does not need words to understand what is going on. He zooms in on the important parts and leaves out details that do not matter. This book is a very interesting reading experience because the mind needs to flip back and forth between pictures and a story. Selznick's words are centered on each page. This is an interesting format because most pages start at the top and work their way down. Some pages have a full page of text and others have only two sentences. This is meaningful in the story because some of the pictures need an explanation before the next one. This book would be great for reluctant or low readers because it is an interesting story with breakups in the wording. All readers will enjoy this book though, there is something magical about the world of Hugo.
About the Author:
Brian Selznick was born in 1966 in New Jersey. He has a brother and a sister who are both successful as well. He grew up and studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. After college, Selznick began working in a children's book store which is where he began to love children's books. He worked for a man named Steve Geck who taught him much of what he knows about children's books. He currently lives in New York and California.
His first book, titled The Houdini Box, was published in 1991 while he was still working in the book store. He wrote and illustrated this book. He also illustrated for other author's books such as Frindle, The Doll People, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, and The Dinoasaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. He branched out and wrote three other books including The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It has now become a major motion picture.
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_bio.htm
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_bio.htm
This book could be used in schools for many different purposes including story telling though pictures. Art teachers could use it for his artistry skills and English classes could look at the literary elements and formatting used.
Book Talking:
Create your own picture story.
Compare the movie and book.
Challenging Issues:
I do not see how this book could be challenged, but if it did, I would follow the policies in place for dealing with a challenge.
Why Read this Book:
I added this book to the list because it is unique in the way it is written. The story is easy to follow and entertaining. Readers of all levels will enjoy this book.
Create your own picture story.
Compare the movie and book.
Challenging Issues:
I do not see how this book could be challenged, but if it did, I would follow the policies in place for dealing with a challenge.
Why Read this Book:
I added this book to the list because it is unique in the way it is written. The story is easy to follow and entertaining. Readers of all levels will enjoy this book.
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