Review - The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Size: 533 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: January 30th, 2007
ISBN: 978-0439813785
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars


I already read Wonderstruck and after reading that really wanted to read the Invention of Hugo Cabret. So, when I got this book for my birthday I was thrilled! This was a wonderful read. Selznick does such a wonderful job writing a story in pictures; he has a knack for bringing multiple generations of characters together to tell a wonderful mystery.

Hugo lives in a train station. He used to live with his uncle who winded the clocks in the station, but when his uncle disappeared he was left winding clocks on his own and hoping that no one would notice his uncle's absence and throw him out. Hugo has a side project too; he trying to rebuild an automaton that he and his father found in the attic of a museum. In his search for parts for his automaton he ends up involved with a bookish young girl and a bitter old toy maker. Little does he know that the mystery behind the automaton may be wrapped up with the new people in his life.

This was another wonderful story by Selznick. I continue to be amazed at how well he can tell a story in pictures. The story is told half in pictures, half in words. The pictures are beautiful and match the tone of the story perfectly. As with Wonderstruck, this book portrays a sense of nostalgia (it is set in Paris in the 1930's). I love how Selznick makes the story cross multiple generations by having a young boy solve the mystery behind an older man's past.

Although this is more of a mystery driven novel than a character driven novel you can't help but love Hugo. Hugo is hard working and has wonderful dreams of finishing the automaton and presenting it to the rest of the world; the whole time you are really hoping that things will work out for him. The automaton he is working on is a wonderful mystery; you can't help but desperately wonder what the automaton is going to write when Hugo finishes fixing it. Then when he does fix it and it writes for him, what it writes creates a whole mystery all in itself.

The story is very engaging and hard to stop reading. I personally didn't know much about Georges Méliès and his movies; so it was wonderful to learn about this and makes me want to learn even more! What a wonderful thing to dedicate a book this creative and imaginative to a film-maker who first tried to bring fantasy to the big screen. As with Wonderstruck you can tell that Selznick did a ton of research when writing this book (he lists all of his references in the back). You can tell this book took a lot of time and dedication to write/draw and I enjoyed every second of it.

Overall this is just a wonderful book for all ages. Not only does the reader get help Hugo solve a magical mystery involving automatons, they get to learn more about Paris in the 1930's, and are introduced to the movies are Georges Melies. Readers young and old alike will find this to be a beautiful, intriguing, and creative read. It's a glimpse into the past with a bit of mystery thrown in. Highly recommended (as is Wonderstruck) to everyone. I can't wait to see what Selznick comes up with next.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 100+ Reading Challenge
- Get Steampunked!

Early Review - Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Middle Grade

Genre: Fiction
Size: 608 pages

Publisher:  Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 13, 2011
ISBN: 978-0545027892
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: ARC from BEA
Rating: 5/5 stars

I got an advanced reading copy of this book at Book Expo America from the publisher.  I had been been wanting to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret for some time, but hadn't gotten around to it.  When I saw that Selznick was coming out with a new book, I was very excited to read it.  This was a wonderful book filled with beautiful drawings and a heartwarming story.

This book tells two storylines, one via pictures and one with traditional writing.  The first storyline is written and is set in the 1970's where a boy named Ben (who has lost his mother and never knew his father) flees his home on the Gunflint Trail in MN for New York City; he is trying to find his father based on some clues he found in his mother's stuff.  The second storyline is told in wonderful pictures.  This storyline is set in the 1920's and tells about a deaf girl named Rose who wants nothing more than to run away from home to live in NYC.

The way the two stories unfold is wonderful.  They are both set in different times with different people, but they still mirror each other as they unfold.  Eventually they entwine in a way that is fabulous, heartwarming, and clever.  This is definitely a coming of age story of sorts.  

With the two stories being set in the past, the story portrays a sort of nostalgia.  Both of the characters (Rose and Ben) are easy to relate to.  Both of them are trying to follow their dreams and do what their hearts' desire no matter how tough things get.

Both stories end up in the Museum of Natural History in New York; you can tell that Selznick did a lot of research to make sure that he got all of the details in the museum right.  It was fun to read about this museum after visiting it back in May. Another theme throughout this story was being deaf and how you deal with it; both Rose and Ben have trouble hearing.  Again, you can tell that Selznick did a lot of research into deaf people and how teaching for deaf people has changed over time.

The story ends well and is wrapped up very nicely.  It is such a fun and creative way to tell a story that not only spans the ages, but is full of adventure and the message to follow your dreams.  Sleznick includes information on the research he did for this book and a full bibliography in the back; there was a lot of research done!

Overall I was very impressed with this book.  It is so well done.  The drawings are spectacular and tell a magical story that entwines nicely with the written story.  I loved how the stories are set in different eras but manage to mirror each other.  I loved how the story is about following your dreams and finding friends in unexpected places.  The research done to write this book was phenomenal too.   I will definitely be picking up Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret and any books he writes in the future.  This book is a keeper and highly recommended for all ages.

This book goes towards the following reading challenge:

- 100+ Reading Challenge