55 pages 1 hour read

Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In the 1930s Paris, orphaned Hugo Cabret secretly maintains the train station's clocks while striving to repair a broken automaton left by his deceased father. He befriends Isabelle, the goddaughter of Georges Méliès, who owns a toy booth there. Together, they uncover Méliès's secret past as a pioneering filmmaker, leading to Hugo's future as a skilled magician and inventor.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret captivates with its unique blend of novel and graphic storytelling, appealing to both children and adults. The intricate illustrations and historical touch enchant readers. However, some find the pacing uneven, with certain narrative sections dragging. Nonetheless, it remains a highly recommended, innovative work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Invention of Hugo Cabret?

Readers who enjoy imaginative, visually rich storytelling akin to The Arrival by Shaun Tan or Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick will be captivated by The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Ideal for those who appreciate a blend of graphic novels and historical fiction with a sense of adventure and mystery.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

820L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Friendship

Values/Ideas: Art

Relationships: Family