By Brian Selznick
Published Scholastic Press, New York, 2007
ISBN 978-0-439-81378-5
Annotation
Hugo is abandoned in the train station where his father worked and they lived, while keeping the clocks working and trying to uncover the mystery behind his fathers notebook and the atomaton his father has left.
Personal Reaction
At first you might think you are just reading another worthy Caldecott winner, beautiful illustrations depicting the story clearly. As you read The Invention of Hugo Cabret further, the feeling you have entered into a silent film from the early 1900’s will begin to take hold. This entire book is designed with the style of old film which is extenuated by it’s internal celebration of 1920’s French film and the modest presence of 20th century film maker, Georges Méliès. About a boy orphaned in a train station, but embodying so much more, this book opens a historical art realm sadly under celebrated; the automaton of this era and early science fiction films. By the shear ascetic quality of this book readers will be driven to learn more about old French silent films and the magic of automaton figures.
**Allusion: Illustrations refer indirectly (allude) to old silent films
Awarded the Caldecott Medal, 2008
Starred Reviews
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (April, 2007)
Horn Book Guide (Fall, 2007)
Kirkus Reviews (January 15, 2007)
Horn Book (March/April, 2007)
School Library Journal (March, 2007)
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