55 pages • 1 hour read
Brian SelznickThe Invention of Hugo Cabret
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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
8-12yearsLexile Level
820L