It's unbelievable that it took me so long to get to this book. I have to be the last librarian on earth to have read it!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is such a well known title that it technically doesn't need any introduction. So let's just move on to what I adored about this book....

What Worked: Selznick did an outstanding job of genre blending with this book (as is the formatting of this book). I knew a little bit about The Invention of Hugo Cabret before reading it, but I wasn't anticipating a dose of historical fiction, realistic fiction, and some hints at magic. Each character felt well defined and added substance to the book. Also, I did not know that parts of it were loosely based off one of the first French magicians and filmmakers, Georges Melies. What a brilliant way to incorporate a piece of history into a beautifully designed and digestible book for all ages.

Overall, it's easy to understand why this book is so highly praised and adored. It breaks the mold of genre and format in terms of children's literature. Since it's publication, Brian Selznick has written a number of other titles and I cannot wait to dive into them.