by Brian Selznick

 

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.

 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not exactly a novel, and it's not quite a picture book, and it's not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things.

 

This book was the 2008 caldecott medal winner - the most prestigious American children's book award.

 

Brian Selznick's first book The Houdini box was published in 1991. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

 

Hard cover. 544 pages.

 

Age 11+