The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret 

by Brian Selznick

Selznick, B. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

Interest Level: 4 - 7

Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2

Lexile® measure: 820L

Guided Reading: NR

Genre/Theme: Comic Books and Graphic Novels

Mystery and Suspense

Topics: Cleverness, Creativity and Imagination, Coping with Death, Grief, and Loss, Overcoming Obstacles

Orphan, thief, and clock minder, Hugo Cabret lives a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. When his life collides with Isabelle and her seemingly terrible caregiver Hugo's secrets are in jeopardy. Only his creativity, a mechanical man, and a little bit of bravery can save him.

The illustrations in this book completely make the story what it is. The illustrations not only add  to the words, but tell a story all on their own. I liked how the author used still images from some of the old films that were described in the movie. One activity that a class could do would be to research some of the old films and directors mentioned in the book, as all of them are real. 

This book could also be used to discuss death and loss. This is something all of the characters in the book experienced. Students could identify how each character experienced a loss of a person or of some other part of their life. We could then have a class discussion on connections we could make to our own lives. We could talk about how the characters dealt with it, and healthy and nonhealthy ways people in real life deal with loss.

I would use this book in a 4th or 5th grade classroom. It could also be used in older grades for striving readers as the pictures really aid in the reading of this story.