The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Selznick, Brian. 2007. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-439-81378-5

PLOT SUMMARY

This picture book centers around Hugo Cabret, an orphan who spends his days maintaining the clocks in a bustling Paris train station in the early 1930s.  Hugo, essentially, lives a life hiding in the walls, scurrying to ensure the clocks are keeping time in an effort to maintain the pretense  that his uncle is still alive, and stealing food from establishments in the station. One missed step could land Hugo in an orphanage and away from his life's obsession- an automaton his father had been repairing.  But a fire snuffed out Hugo's father and left Hugo struggling to survive on his own .  Now Hugo believes that the automaton will relay a message from his father, if only Hugo can get it fixed.  Despite Hugo's desperate desire to maintain his secrets, a struggle develops between him and the station's cantankerous toy maker.  Soon, Hugo's life is turned upside down, and it all started with a notebook, continued with a key, and would never be the same with the touch of the automaton's pen.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Without a doubt, this book's drawings contain power and beauty that direct the story. While the story is well written, it is the book's illustrations that guide the story.  Done in simple black and white motif, Selznick creates movement, emotion, and intention through his illustrations. Many of the pictures are drawn with dark shading, which Selznick uses to draw the reader's eye to the lighter portion of the picture, undoubtedly the main focus of that scene. This technique is done throughout the book, and helps guide the reader into the chaotic world of Paris' busy train depot.  Not all drawings, Selznick includes photos from films created by Georges Méliès, and allows the reader a view from Hugo's eyes.

Despite the depth and beauty of the illustrations, it would be impossible for Selznick to deliver such a soulful story without the aid of written word. Selznick writes in a straightforward manner and does a nice job of allowing the reader an up close look at Hugo's inner workings.  The story tugged at the reader's heartstrings. For me, I just wanted to scoop Hugo up and make things good for him again. Powerful words make for long lasting stories.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

2008 Caldecott medal winner
National Book Award Finalist
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
2007 Quill Award Winner

CONNECTIONS

Website dedicated to all the elements of Hugo Cabret, including detailed information about automata:
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

Scholastic website that includes interactive games and information about the novel:
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_books.htm

Brian Selznick has written or illustrated many other books, including:
Boy of a Thousand Faces, The Houdini Box, Wonderstruck, and Lunch Money.