The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Story

Hugo is a 12 year old orphan who lives in the walls of a Parisian train station, minding the clocks that his uncle used to wind. Hiding away from life, he guards a precious secret, but his world is turned upside down when he becomes intertwined with a local toy-seller and his god-daughter. Hugo’s notebook, her key, and a mechanical man bring all three together in a captivating and magical adventure told through a series of pictures and words.

Why we chose it

A ground breaking book. The story starts with wordless pictures, moves to text and then back to drawing – words and pictures are never together on the page and both alternate to tell the story. An adventure story full of mystery and magic with illustrations that have the look and feel of a classic black and white film.

Where it came from

Brian Selznick was born in New Jersey, USA, in 1966. Interested in art and fantasy from a young age, he studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. Upon graduating, he got a job at Eeyore’s Books for Children in New York, where he learnt much about the trade. Whilst there he wrote and illustrated his debut work The Houdini Box (1991). He went on to illustrate several books for other people before creating The Invention of Hugo Cabret , a novel in words and pictures, which he wrote and illustrated himself.

Where it went next

The Invention of Hugo Cabret earned Selznick the Caldecott Medal in 2008. The book has also been a New York Times #1 bestseller and was named one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year.

The book was adapted by John Logan for Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie Hugo, released in 2011. The film received rave reviews.

Associated stories

Brian Selznick is also the writer/illustrator of Wonderstruck (2011), and The Marvels (2015).