The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

"I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and types of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason, too." - from The Invention of Hugo Cabret

What's it about?: Hugo Cabret is a young, orphaned clock keeper and thief who lives in the walls of a Paris train station in 1932. His relatively simple life becomes complex when he meets a grumpy toy shop keeper who works at the train station and a feisty, eccentric young girl. Soon, Hugo's greatest secret is under threat and an adventure involving high-speed trains, mechanical men, movies and messages from his dead father unfolds in a way that's sure to keep your kids enthralled for the entire ride.

Why your child should read it: First, the book is a fantastically well-imagined tale. With all the stylistic makings of a great adventure, coupled with a location as intriguing as early 20th century Paris, it's no wonder so many readers love Selznick's work. But story aside, Selznick, who is also an illustrator, employs a number of means of bringing the reader inside Hugo's world. Along with the narrative, the author uses film stills and a variety of illustrations that truly bring the story to life. Praised as part illustrated novel, part graphic novel and part silent film, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is more than a fantasy story — it's a literary experience.

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