The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
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Book Reviews of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Book Review: Educator's Opinion
Summary: 5 Stars
As a future teacher, I love what this book is doing with the concept of text and literacy. If you've read the other fantastic reviews here, you know that this text combines various genres of "text"--written words, illustrations, and pictures--weaving them seamlessly into a spellbinding tale that you won't be able to put down. I came across it while I was searching for a book in the library; I ripped through it in 2-3 hours.
This book is on the cusp of all things modern. Because kids today have grown up in a world in which they use a variety of technology and multi-media, this book provides an opportunity for today's kids to use their technological literacy skills for intentional reading. That is pretty cool. This book represents what I think is the future of text--think about it: manga and graphic novels are wildly popular, and so are blogs. This book incorporates many of those concepts into one. For these reasons, it's going on my "recommended reading" list. Check it out! You'll be blown away. Happy reading!
Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret: The Invention of a Unique Style of Writing
Summary: 5 Stars
Many of my students would look at this book, and rush to choose it for a book report. The large majority of the text is drawings. What makes this book different is that it actually has cinemographic feel to it, complete with special effects such as groups of pictures that create the impression of a movie fading in or out.
The story centers around a young orphan who, after his uncle failed to return home one day, continues his uncle's job of winding the clocks in a busy Parisian train station. His father was a great inventor, and the child's entire life's ambition is focused upon restoring his father's mechanical man. Hugo's adventures lead him to many interesting revelations and discoveries.
The drawings in this book are wonderful and the movie-like quality is unique. I thought that the plot was lacking, but I am sure that the nine to twelve year olds will fall in love with the vivid characters, the novel format, and the tweak of the imagination that this book offers.
Book Review: A must read for all ages!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
We picked this book for our 4th grader's book report. Little did we know what a masterpiece we had in hand. Our 9 year old got most of the story and of course us, as adults, got so much more. Even our first grader loved hearing the story and seeing the pictures. This book is truly a work of art for all ages. 6 years olds to 99 year olds will all get something out of it. We loved how the pictures told part of the story, and the written text picked up where the pictures left off. There is tons of symbolism and metaphors. If we were in college, we would see how this book could, by itself, become the subject of an essay. Or perhaps it's own course.
Family and friendship themes run throughout. As does finding yourself when you think you have lost all that ever matters to you.
This is one of those heart warming stories that will affect anyone who reads it. It is truly a gift to pass on to future generations.
Please read it. You will not be disappointed!
Book Review: The type of book you want your kids to read!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is about an independent, intelligent young boy who maintains the clocks in a train station. Inheriting the job from his deadbeat uncle, Hugo lives within the walls of the station and must deal with the daily struggle of taking care of himself without any money. While he isn't working he obsesses over an automaton that his father had once worked on. Throughout the novel he strives to make it work again, hoping it will connect him to his dead father. Along the way he makes a new friend and learns that it is okay to depend on others for help.
What really makes this book unique are the hundreds of illustrations that are wonderfully drawn by Selznick. They actually take the place of words, they don't just illustrate what you have read. They are not meant to be skimmed over, but analyzed and appreciated.
This novel is the type of book you want your kids to read; it is well written, teaches lessons, presents strong characters and has a unique story.
Book Review: The Ratio of Hugo Cabret
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't believe that I've ever seen such an overwhelming majority of favorable Amazon reviews for ANY book (my neighbor below notwithstanding). Bravo to Brian Selznick for starting this avalanche of assents with his marvelous project.
As is amply pointed out elsewhere on this page, what Selznick has done is create a book that approximates a silent film. (Inasmuch as the book is a tribute to said films, this is entirely appropriate.) Thus, the book's has full and double-page graphics followed by supplementary text.
The storyline is advanced separately by either words OR pictures. In this fashion, it is not what is called a graphic novel... rather, it's a silent film between book covers.
One Cavil: At over 500 pages long, this book could crush the unwitting child who tries to read it in bed. Thus, I was surprised to see a 4/5ths ratio of open "white space" on some of the text pages. Was there a reason for this seeming waste that's not immediately apparent?