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The Invention of Hugo Cabret : : a Novel in Words and Pictures

Selznick, Brian. Book - 2007 J Fiction / Selznick, Brian, R Caldecott Medal 2008, Kids Book / Fiction / General / Selznick, Brian 3 On Shelf 3 requests on 10 copies Community Rating: 4.7 out of 5

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Call Number: J Fiction / Selznick, Brian, R Caldecott Medal 2008, Kids Book / Fiction / General / Selznick, Brian
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch

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

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

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Summary / Annotation
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Wonderful Book!!! (; submitted by northeorg on July 8, 2011, 7:22pm I first read this book in 5th grade. The invention of Hugo Cabret was on the book shelf of my classroom. At first, i thought this book would be boring and too thick to read. But, it looked a little different than other books, so i decided to try it. I opened the first page, and was surprised that it had lots of pictures. So i read the pictures thoroughly, and imagined it in my head like a movie. It got more interesting as i read. I couldn't put the book down. This book is my favorite book-so far. I have never read a book like this. It was wonderful! I learned to never judge a book by how it looks, but in the inside is what really matters.I can't wait till the book by the same author, "Wonderstruck" comes out. I hope you enjoy reading this tremendous book.

wonderful invention submitted by camelsamba on July 8, 2011, 10:07pm Some people don't like this book - they feel that the illustrations are a gimmick to make the book longer. I disagree - I fell for the gimmick, in fact, I really liked it! I enjoyed how the pictures really drew me into the action and pulled me through the story. I can't find the exact quote again, but I liked the point that movies are (were) dreams becoming real, especially in that early era. That is very obvious when you see the stills (startling clarity, by the way, given their age!) from Méliès' movies.

There were a few things that bothered me, though. I often wanted to shake Hugo (and other characters) and yell "just tell the truth already! why all the secrecy?" Also, I didn't have a good sense of how much time was passing. For a book that relies so much on clocks, you think it would be more obvious - but I guess that would depend on calendars, not just a machine that counts the hours.

I know the "Invention" of the title is supposed to be his automaton, but I wonder if it also refers to the invention of Hugo as a person - how his skills and interests are finally given an opportunity to flourish once he gets involved with Papa Georges and Isabelle.

great submitted by sauerr on August 2, 2011, 8:45am My sister said that I wouldn't understand it in first grade so I secretly checked it out from my school library. I thought it would probably take me at least a week to read it but it only took me 2 hours! It looks a lot more complicated from the outside. It is a age 9 and up book. It is fun for all ages.

Hugo Cabret submitted by marisal on August 11, 2011, 9:40am Great book and the illistrations are really good to!

Book Magic + Adventure submitted by manz on September 12, 2011, 9:38am A book of book magic and a book of movie magic, all wrapped into one. I've had this on my "to read" list for a while now, but was finally pushed to read it after seeing the trailer for the upcoming movie coming out in November, directed by Martin Scorsese.

Being pushed to read the book due to a movie doesn't normally jive with my library-loving, book-loving logic. But it works for this! Because the book is a movie in itself- which I didn't expect, and it involves a bit of film history, which was wonderful (for my film buff self). I also read it in one sitting - it's that kind of book.

It follows young orphaned Hugo on the streets of Paris in the 1930s. Living in a train station, keeping the clocks running, collecting gears, drawing, and stealing toys are Hugo's days until a riddle from his past comes to life and the pieces start fitting together. Along with the young Isabelle, they have a bit of an adventure that links Hugo, Isabelle and her Papa Georges!

Over 200 beautiful, award winning illustrations, wrapped into a fantastic journey.

WONDERFUL! submitted by ValerieL on June 18, 2012, 8:46pm I have had this book on my list to read for quite a while now. I knew that it contained a lot of illustrations, but I didn't realize just how many! I finally picked it up on a Sunday night when I was looking for something to tide me over until Tuesday when I was expecting a book I ordered to be in at Nicola's. Well, while I loved the book, it didn't last me until Tuesday! In fact, it didn't even last me until Monday, I finished it in one sitting. But, I loved it. I loved studying the illustrations and thought the storyline was excellent. I've recently checked it out again so I can re-read and re-study the illustrations now that I've also seen the movie.

The storyline was full of twists and turns and the pictures told as much of the story as the text did. The illustrations had so much fine detail and were just gorgeous. I highly recommend this book to kids and adults alike!

CLOCKS submitted by mwallagm on June 24, 2012, 11:53pm this is an amazing story about a boy named Hugo Cabret. He is taking care of all of the clocks in a train station in France. Told through words and pictures, this is an beautiful story that you should read.

Excellent read for kids submitted by hcf on July 1, 2012, 6:03pm My son, who is 9, whipped though this book quickly. It is so beautifully done and a fascinating story.

great submitted by 04foremanh on July 9, 2012, 5:59pm unique and interesting

awesome submitted by watermelon on July 12, 2012, 6:57pm i really like this book. it proves the saying, a pictures worth a thousand words.

One word - EPIC submitted by fiddlefatfu on July 26, 2012, 6:10pm I luved this book. But they kind of changed Hugo's personality in the movie...
Yea i have to admit that the illustrations are really good!!
And i ALSOOoo have to admit that this iz one of my top 3 favs!!!!

inspired! submitted by fairytale on August 19, 2012, 10:19am The movie Hugo was so good that we just had to check out the book! What a wonderful story.

Amazing Book!!! submitted by gxl on June 14, 2013, 7:08pm This is my all time favorite book!! I really loved it. The pictures were really nice.When I first look at this book, I thought it would be a difficult read, but with all the pictures it ended up being really easy!! The plot is really good too. Although the movie is good, I think the book is one hundred times better!!

Whimsy and Wonder submitted by Ellen R. on July 27, 2013, 1:23pm This is a warmth-filled story about finding friends, finding meaning, and finding your way even when it feels you're alone in the world. Hugo is a poor orphan living in a train station in Paris, where he keeps all of the clocks running smoothly. A strange object from his past--broken but still full of potential--reveals a riddle that Hugo and his new friend, Isabelle, are determined to solve. Selznick's pencil and charcoal illustrations really make the story of Hugo come to life on the page, and, despite the thick binding, this book is an approachable read both for adults and for children.

UNIQUE submitted by cdarragh on July 29, 2013, 12:51pm I love the way the pictures and words blend together to tell an interesting and fascinating story

I like the pictures a lot in this book submitted by r-chopra on August 1, 2013, 9:25am I like the pictures a lot in this book

Unique and Amazing submitted by cbrewster on August 15, 2013, 10:25pm A book like no other I have encountered. Uniquely told in partly in sections pictures and sections of words. The story centers on mysteries and it is an exciting adventure seeing how they call come together.

Awesome book in words and pictures! submitted by xenokazegami on June 15, 2015, 12:15am A charming book that tells in other ways than words! This book reeled me in because, even though it looks huge, most of it is just pictures!

Recommended for children or adults submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on June 21, 2015, 8:02pm This was wonderful and fascinating and I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I'm utterly delighted that I read it. I can't remember who recommended this to me, though I found out after I suggested it to my 10 year old that he read it last year in 5th grade and loved it.

The children in this story are fabrications, but it turns out that the automaton and the main adults in the story are real. I deeply don't want to give away anything about the storytelling style of this book, so I will simply say that it is the most unexpected encounter I may have ever had with a book for kids. I started reading it with my just-turned-9 y.o., but it wasn't quite for her yet. Maybe in another year.

The back of the book has references and information about real automaton, and I found a link to videos of a real one that works. The idea that people could make mechanical, clockwork devices that could write and draw multiple complicated poems and pictures blows my mind. See for yourself! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfeNC2...

I highly, highly recommend this book, whether you are a child or an adult. You'll be delighted.

Delightful surprise submitted by cynthiaredinger on June 19, 2017, 4:33pm I stumbled upon this book while browsing with my daughter. It was a delight to read, even if I couldn't get the kids into it.

The story is sweet and triumphant. The art is breathetaking.

get To the end submitted by menmen on June 20, 2018, 1:59pm The story is so exciting. And I keep reading at night until I finished that. The end of the story is perfect. I love it so much!!

Great book submitted by maggie_aa on August 25, 2018, 10:38pm Wonderful!!!

amazing!!! submitted by eliadler on August 28, 2018, 8:50pm i loved this book. it was so creative and has such an amazing story! the pictures are amazing!

Good book submitted by jasonc1177 on July 31, 2019, 7:53pm this book is great
&……%@

good submitted by .-.-.-. on June 25, 2021, 6:26pm Kind of sad, but it is an interesting book with an interesting plot and many twists. Definitely a good all around book.

great!!!!!!!!!!!!!! submitted by xijin Hiraga on June 11, 2022, 5:21pm It's great because of how they tell the story in pictures and words. And I also like this book because this boy with a really good talent of fixing things, finds a man who suffers from the past.

Overwhelming submitted by Marian on August 26, 2023, 7:19am The drawings are remarkable, but overwhelm a quite short story. Makes me think of silent films with many frames of action followed by frames displaying brief dialogue.

Cover image for The invention of Hugo Cabret : : a novel in words and pictures

SERIES
Caldecott Medal book - 2008.



PUBLISHED
New York : Scholastic Press, c2007.
Year Published: 2007
Description: 533 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
Language: English
Format: Book

READING LEVEL
Lexile: 820

ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
0439813786
9780439813785

SUBJECTS
Méliès, Georges, -- 1861-1938 -- Fiction.
Robots -- Fiction.
Orphans -- Fiction.
Railroad stations -- Fiction.
Paris (France) -- History -- 1870-1940 -- Fiction.
France -- History -- Third Republic, 1870-1940 -- Fiction.
France -- Fiction.