About the Author

Brian Selznick's books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his innovative and genre-defying thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted into the eponymous movie by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and the New York Times bestseller, The Marvels. Selznick's two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, an ALA Notable Book co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers as well. He also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Selznick and Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla, California. Learn more at thebrianselznick.com and mediaroom.scholastic.com/brianselznick.

Reviews

Awards and Praise for The Invention of Hugo Cabret: 2008 Caldecott Medal winnerNational Book Award Finalist#1 New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Best Illustrated BookLos Angeles Times Favorite Children's Book of the YearTIME Magazine's 100 Best Children's and Young Adult Books of All Time"Evokes wonder . . . like a silent film on paper." -- The New York Times"A fast-paced treat." -- People Magazine"Distinctive."-- The Wall Street Journal"Cinematic."-- Parenting Magazine"Captivating."-- Los Angeles Times Book Review"If your kid loves the J.K. Rowling series, then [they are] bound to enjoyThe Invention of Hugo Cabret. . ."-- Good Housekeeping* "A true masterpiece."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Fade to black and cue the applause!"-- Kirkus, starred review* "Complete genius."-- Horn Book, starred review* "Breathtaking . . . shatters conventions."-- School Library Journal, starred review* "An original and creative integration of art and text."-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Visually stunning . . . raises the bar." -- San Antonio Express-News

Gr 3-6-Brian Selznick's atmospheric story (Scholastic, 2007) is set in Paris in 1931. Hugo Cabret is an orphan; his father, a clockmaker, has recently died in a fire and the boy lives with his alcoholic Uncle Claude, working as his apprentice clock keeper in a bustling train station. When Hugo's uncle fails to return after a three-day absence, the boy decides it's his chance to escape the man's harsh treatment. But Hugo has nowhere to go and, after wandering the city, returns to his uncle's rooms determined to fix a mechanical figure-an automaton-that his father was restoring when he died. Hugo is convinced it will "save his life"-the figure holds a pen, and the boy believes that if he can get it working again, it will deliver a message from his father. This is just the bare outline of this multilayered story, inspired by and with references to early (French) cinema and filmmaker George Melies, magic and magicians, and mechanical objects. Jeff Woodman's reading of the descriptive passages effectively sets the story's suspenseful tone. The book's many pages of pictorial narrative translate in the audio version into sound sequences that successfully employ the techniques of old radio plays (train whistles, footsteps reverberating through station passages, etc.). The accompanying DVD, hosted by Selznick and packed with information and images from the book, will enrich the listening experience.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Awards and Praise for The Invention of Hugo Cabret: 2008 Caldecott Medal winnerNational Book Award Finalist#1 New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Best Illustrated BookLos Angeles Times Favorite Children's Book of the YearTIME Magazine's 100 Best Children's and Young Adult Books of All Time"Evokes wonder . . . like a silent film on paper." -- The New York Times"A fast-paced treat." -- People Magazine"Distinctive."-- The Wall Street Journal"Cinematic."-- Parenting Magazine"Captivating."-- Los Angeles Times Book Review"If your kid loves the J.K. Rowling series, then [they are] bound to enjoyThe Invention of Hugo Cabret. . ."-- Good Housekeeping* "A true masterpiece."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Fade to black and cue the applause!"-- Kirkus, starred review* "Complete genius."-- Horn Book, starred review* "Breathtaking . . . shatters conventions."-- School Library Journal, starred review* "An original and creative integration of art and text."-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Visually stunning . . . raises the bar." -- San Antonio Express-News
Awards and Praise for The Invention of Hugo Cabret:2008 Caldecott Medal winnerNational Book Award Finalist#1 New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Best Illustrated BookLos Angeles Times Favorite Children's Book of the YearTIME Magazine's 100 Best Children's and Young Adult Books of All Time"Evokes wonder . . . like a silent film on paper." -- The New York Times"A fast-paced treat." -- People Magazine"Distinctive."-- The Wall Street Journal"Cinematic."-- Parenting Magazine"Captivating."-- Los Angeles Times Book Review"If your kid loves the J.K. Rowling series, then [they are] bound to enjoyThe Invention of Hugo Cabret. . ."-- Good Housekeeping* "A true masterpiece."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Fade to black and cue the applause!"-- Kirkus, starred review* "Complete genius."-- Horn Book, starred review* "Breathtaking . . . shatters conventions."-- School Library Journal, starred review * "An original and creative integration of art and text."-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Visually stunning . . . raises the bar." -- San Antonio Express-News