The Invention of Hugo Cabret

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

Appropriate grade levels:

4th-12th grade. The content of this book is interesting and allows for use between a wide range of levels. The pictures provide excellent support for younger readers or struggling readers yet the content and pictures combined allow for high level analytical discussions. The main character is 12 years old so younger students would relate, however, the character's youth is not a turn off for older readers because of the mysterious quality of the story and the interesting plot. This book is highly recommended for use with struggling and non-struggling upper elementary or struggling middle or high school students.

Summary:

Hugo is an orphan who lives secretly in apartment at a train station in Paris in the early 1900's. He mysteriously knows how to operate the clocks in the train station and keeps the clocks running smoothly. He steals food and toys from vendors, including an old man who has a small toy shop. Hugo gets caught by the old man and the old man learns of Hugo's secret and takes his notebook but Hugo refuses to give up any more information. Hugo works for the old man with the hopes of getting his special notebook, which contains notes about his secret, back and the old man recognizes Hugo's talent with his hands and his ability to fix small toys. Hugo also meets a girl, Isabelle, who is mysteriously connected to the old man at the toy shop and she claims she can get the notebook back for Hugo. Hugo and Isabelle become friends but Hugo still doesn't want to share his secret, which he hides in his train station apartment, with anyone.

Classroom Use:

- Use with whole class reading, Literature Circles or for independent reading

- Writing connection: students could create comic strips using ReadWriteThink's comic strip creator. Comic strips could describe a scene from the story (younger students) or could demonstrate a higher level analysis, for example, explain how and why Selznick's use of pictures creates a movie-like feel.

- Writing connection: students could create character analysis and development projects using glogster.

- Reading connection: Making predictions- the mysterious nature of this novel as well as the unexpected twists and turns would be perfect for making predictions, Somebody Wants But So technique for summarizing would work excellent with this novel as well.

- Literature Analysis: analyze the difference between a graphic novel, a movie, and this book and how this book is a combination of elements. Discuss how and why this works for this novel. Character and plot development through pictures would also be an excellent use of this novel as it quite uniquely uses pictures to develop characters and further the plot.

Reader’s Response:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a gem of a novel because, like Lawn Boy, this book can be read and understood on many levels. The pictorial support lends itself to use with low level readers in upper grades as well as younger students. The potential for high level analytical discussion about the elements of this unique book (the use of pictures, the movie-like quality, the mysteriousness of the title) allows for use with high achieving students as well. The general mysteriousness of the novel and unanswered questions (Did Hugo's father program the automaton to give a message to Hugo? Why is George Melies pretending to be dead?) will make for amazing discussions bridging higher and lower level readers and a large span of grade levels.

The reader will instantly sympathize with the main character of this book, Hugo. He has no parents and has to steal in order to survive. What gets him through the day is hope, a theme in many novels where people experience hardship like Hugo. His hope lies in the secret that the automaton (a sort of robot that can draw pictures or write messages, often used by magicians at the turn of the century) is holding and he is able to keep going in life because he has a mission: fix the automaton and learn it's secret. The characters are relatable and likable, from Isabelle, Hugo's friend to Etienne, who in many ways saves the day, and even the old man who owns the toy store, George Melies, a famous film maker.

The movie like quality and the use of pictures is one of the most fascinating parts of this novel. When I began reading it I did not quite understand the use of pictures as it is incredibly different then any other novel I've read (and I've read a wide range of graphic novels!) As the story unfolded I became accustomed to the style of this unique book. As the story wrapped up it all came together and the connection between film and the pictures in this book made sense. Many teachers feel that stories with pictures (graphic novels or a book like this) do not have a place in the middle or high school English classroom. Graphic novels and pictorial novels such as this are misunderstood. In some graphic novels (comic books) the pictures simply support the text. In a good graphic novel (still a comic book) or in the case of this novel, the pictures enhance the text and provide another layer of meaning that would not exist without the pictures. Check out some of the resources below for more information on how and why high school teachers should incorporate graphic novels into the classroom.

Bridging the gap between analysis of different forms of media and novels would be an excellent way to draw students in to this novel and would make for excellent discussions. As it explains in the afterward, this book is based on a real film maker, George Melies. His films would be an interesting point of discussion and many are available on YouTube. An important film mentioned in this novel is A Trip to the Moon, Hugo's late father's favorite movie. To watch, click here. Some other excellent Melies films to watch on YouTube are The Vanishing Lady (produced in 1986) and The Magician.

Something Extra:
Read about Gene Luen Yang, the author of American Born Chinese, and his use for comic books and graphic novels in education here. You can also find a wealth of information on his website.
Check out my blog on graphic novel use in the middle and high school classroom as well.
http://lupoknowswhattoread.blogspot.com/2011/07/graphic-novel-use-in-middle-and-high.html