The Invention of Hugo Cabret (ages 9- 12) is a brilliant hybrid; a story told with words, photography, and magnificent illustration. The introduction directs: "Picture yourself sitting in the darkness, like the beginning of a movie." A series of full-page drawings - frames - then zoom in on our protagonist, a 12 year old orphan living by his wits in a Paris train station. The story of how Hugo Cabret finds his way is captivating. I couldn't put it down.

What I hated about this book: Not only does that hackneyed phrase "tour de force" appear in the sell copy on the dust jacket flap, but whoever wrote it actually manages to go above (below?) and beyond the pale, coating the tiresome phrase with smarmy cheese to read "... a stunning, cinematic tour de force from a boldly innovative storyteller, artist, and bookmaker." Yuck.

But--much as I hate to encourage this kind of stupid flap copy--I'm kind of embarrassed to say I agree.

Selznick is known primarily as an illustrator, so I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well-crafted and well-executed novel: smooth, with great language, rhythm, characters, dialogue, and atmosphere, not to mention an intricate and well-tailored plot. And the way the story flows seamlessly, sometimes in conventional written narrative and sometimes in fluid graphic-novel form, is fascinating; I actually didn't really notice the switches back and forth between words and pictures because the rhythm of the plot and mood didn't stumble a bit. What an amazing technical achievement, to switch back and forth from written narrative to graphic novel while preserving the flow of the story throughout. And it's a great "read" for kids of all ages, whether or not they notice the book's technical structure and the intricacy and magic of the art.

Just a fascinating physical object and a sweet but not yucky story, told well in a unique and effective presentation.

ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

Imprint: Scholastic Press
Distributor: Scholastic Inc.
Publication Date: 03-01-2007
Pages: 544
Measurements: 8.25in X 5.50in