The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

Do you remember those picture books from your elementary days that had the great pictures? Books like Make Way for Ducklings by Robert Mccloskey, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, and The Polar Express by Christ Van Allsburg? All of these were Caldecott Award winners and written for young elementary students. The Caldecott award is a prestigious award given annually to children's book illustrators. This year, for the first time in recent memory, the Caldecott went to the writer of a book written for older students. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a thick book (533 pages) with dozens of lovely and intricate black and white pencil drawings. It's part picture book, part graphic novel, part motion picture. I loved this book for its artwork as much as anything, but it also has an interesting and creative storyline loosely based on the life of one of the earliest French moviemakers. I would recommend this book to anyone--it's not only a good read, but it's also a visual feast. Most students could read this book in a couple of hours, but you just have to take a little time to enjoy the art.

--Reviewed by Mrs. Sams