The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznik, Brian. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

This is an extremely lengthy book of over 500 pages, however, this story is told through text and pictures with some of the pictures being a double page spread. The story is set in Paris in the 1930s. Throughout the story we learn about a young boy named Hugo who secretly lives in a train station and spends all of his time working on an invention left by his father. The book is full of black and white pencil sketching, which really relate well to the setting. Because of the length of this book most younger children would not be as interested. However, because it is primarily a picture book it is still suitable for middle elementary school, grades 2-4. This is a great book if you are teaching 1930s history or anything related to Paris. There are many references to the time period and the place that can be utilized in the classroom. This book is the Caldecott Award Winner for 2008. This book is full of excitement and adventure including a stolen key, a secret invention, a hidden message, and a treasured notebook. This is sure to captivate young readers.