(Gr 3-5)
Scholastic, Sept 13 2011. Reviewed from library book.
"Set fifty years apart, two independent stories—Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures—weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.
Ever since his mom died, Ben feels lost.
At home with her father, Rose feels alone.
He is searching for someone, but he is not sure who.
She is searching for something, but she is not sure what.
When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mom's room,
When a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose
Both children risk everything to find what's missing."
I read, and loved, The Invention of Hugo Cabret for my Materials for Youth course in graduate school. Since I have become a librarian it has been both my salvation and one of my biggest heartaches. Salvation because it is the perfect book to give to a reluctant reader who does not want to be embarrassed by carrying around a small "baby" book at school. Hugo has enough appeal, pictures, and pages to satisfy even the most anti reading child. Sadly, after they finish it, that's when the heartache sets in. Inevitably mom will be so happy that little insertnamehere read a whole book, and such a thick book too, that she will immediately head back to the library searching for anything similar to try to recreate her own little miracle. The sadsad librarian will then have to tell the elated mother that there is nothing exactly like Hugo Cabret. Yes, there are tons of other illustrated novels, there are even great ones, but nothing like Hugo. He is unique, which is part of what makes his story so wonderful. Poor mom will then leave the library with a handful of good, but not quite Hugo, illustrated novels and hope that at least one sparks some sort of interest with her anti reading child. That was the end of the story - until now! I know many other children's librarians will join me in rejoicing that Brian Selznick's new book is out and it is WONDERFUL! Finally, finally, something to keep those Hugo fans reading!!
Ben lives on a lake out in the middle of Nowhere Minnesota. His mother has just passed away and he isn't ready to move on. He doesn't know anything at all about his father, until the night he gets struck by lightning. Rose lives an equally secluded life, but in a big house overlooking New York City. She dreams of getting away and finding the movie star she most admires, but Rose is deaf. Her story, told entirely in pictures, is about overcoming disability and proving that everyone wants a chance to really live. These two characters, living a lifetime apart, are both wonderful, believable, and the kind of kids every reader will want to root for.
This story lacks none of the imagination and magic that made Hugo Cabret so exciting to young readers. It has all the elements of a great story; runaway kids, big city adventures, and life in a museum. Oh yeah, you read that right, life in a museum! Kids will likely need little encouragement to pick up Selznick's newest book, even though it has some serious heft to it. They know what to expect from a book like this, and they can't wait to dive right in. Thank you, thank you Brian Selznick for easing my librarian heartache and for writing a book so awesome, that all 12 copies I bought for the library are already checked out.
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