Bibliographical information:

 Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  New York:  Scholastic Press, 2007.

Brief summary:

Hugo is an orphan who works as clock-keeper at a Paris train station.  He's also a thief.  The book recounts his efforts to rebuild an automaton that belonged to his father and the isolated boy's growing friendship with a young girl and the owner of a toy booth at the train station.

Comments:

 The story is told primarily through Selznick's marvelous drawings, which show discreet moments through establishing shots, close-ups and sequences that recall film stills (film pioneer Georges Melies is a character).  The book has won several awards, including a Caldecott Medal.

Grade/Age level:

 grades 3-6

Cautions:

 Hugo is pretty isolated and lonely and is in danger at different times.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

--[Elizabeth Hutchinson]

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