About This Book

2008 Caldecott Medal Winner

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.

Watch a video interview with Brian Selznick.

Brian Selznick shares stories about creating The Invention of Hugo Cabret in this video. 

"Here is a true masterpiece — an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

"... a uniquely inventive story.... elegantly designed to resemble the flickering experience of silent film melodramas." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

" … complete genius ... The Invention of Hugo Cabret is foremost good storytelling."

"...this ambitious, intelligent piece of bookmaking demands and deserves attention..." — Booklist, boxed review

"Hugo Cabret sits at the nexus of magic and storytelling and film, and ... Brian Selznick shows us a little magic of his own." — The New York Times Book Review

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
A New York Times Bestseller
The Quill Award for Children's Chapter Book
An NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
A Publishers Weekly Best Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing

About the Authors or Illustrators

Brian Selznick

Brian Selznick is the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor winner, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, and the New York Times-Best Illustrated Walt Whitman: Words for America, both by Barbara Kerley, as well as the Sibert Honor winner When Marian Sang, by Pam Muñoz Ryan. In 2008 he won the Caldecott Medal for the groundbreaking title, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Read more >