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lisamchuk's review against another edition
5.0
Hugo Cabret is an orphan clock keeper who lives in the walls of a Paris train station. He's also a thief, but hey, it's post World War I and he's got to eat to survive. He gets caught stealing small mechanical parts for a secret project by the old man who runs a toy shop. Here the mystery begins: What is Hugo's secret project? Who is the old man and how is he connected? What part does his goddaughter Isabelle have to play? What happened to Hugo's family? Will he stay out of trouble and the Station Inspector's jail? Will Hugo ever find all the answers to his questions?
I'm not going to give away more, because the story is a treat to read and you're going to go get it out of the library now and find the answers yourselves. It's a bit different from a "normal" comic style graphic novel in that there are pages of text like a "regular" novel, mixed in with gorgeous full page black and white pencil sketches. The sweet story is brilliantly portrayed, and you'll learn about the first moving picture films ever made as well.
I almost didn't read this book because it is really thick and I'm lazy, but a colleague insisted it was excellent and wouldn't take much time to read at all. And she was right. It was an excellent story, by far the best of the three I read this month. The illustrations were beautiful and completely integral to the pages of text. It was just a beautiful story told in a beautiful way. Just beautiful. Read it.
I also watched the film based on the book, and though it's a bit different, it's also very touching. I didn't find the variation from the book annoying, as it's a good story in it's own right, and definitely a good companion to the book.
Just read it. You're welcome.
I'm not going to give away more, because the story is a treat to read and you're going to go get it out of the library now and find the answers yourselves. It's a bit different from a "normal" comic style graphic novel in that there are pages of text like a "regular" novel, mixed in with gorgeous full page black and white pencil sketches. The sweet story is brilliantly portrayed, and you'll learn about the first moving picture films ever made as well.
I almost didn't read this book because it is really thick and I'm lazy, but a colleague insisted it was excellent and wouldn't take much time to read at all. And she was right. It was an excellent story, by far the best of the three I read this month. The illustrations were beautiful and completely integral to the pages of text. It was just a beautiful story told in a beautiful way. Just beautiful. Read it.
I also watched the film based on the book, and though it's a bit different, it's also very touching. I didn't find the variation from the book annoying, as it's a good story in it's own right, and definitely a good companion to the book.
Just read it. You're welcome.
readingsensei's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannahd_8's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
I read it for the nostalgia
blemused's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
byp's review against another edition
4.0
I'm crazy about this book! One of the most original and heart-breaking books I've read in a long time.
mesometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so much fun. There aren't many reading experiences I've had like this one. Don't let the size scare you - two thirds of it are Selznick's illustrations (it won the Caldecott...). This is the book I would love to give to a 5th or 6th grader and up whether they like reading or not. I really had fun with this book.
bookgraphy's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a magical experience, the kind of experience you need every once in a while!