The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Brian Selznick
Scholastic Inc., 2007
Grade Level: 5
Lexile: 820L
Fountas & Pinnell: Q
Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading
Winner of the Caldecott Award

                                 Imaginative, Clever, Independent, Mysterious, over -coming obstacles

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.

Teaching Strategies:

Key Vocabulary:

agitated
furious
snatch 
shudder
scavenge
rickety
decrepit 
apprentice
cavernous

Before Reading Strategy: play the movie trailer for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Next play the book trailer. Ask the students if they have ever seen this movie? How are the book trailer and the movie trailer different? Brainstorm how the book and the movie could differ?

During Reading Strategy: The students will participate in a prediction relay. With a partner they will develop predictions, they will then read for five to ten minutes. After this time, they will check in with their partner to discuss whether their predictions were correct or incorrect and then summarize the main points of what they have just read. 

After Reading Strategy: Prepare a question- answer relationship. Have four types of questions prepared to discuss with the class. These questions should include; literal question, questions whose answers are gathered from several parts of the text put together, text to self related questions and questions based on prior knowledge. 

Writing Activity: Author Brian Selznick uses pictures as a way of representing his story, not only to convey what is happening- but the characters emotions as well. The reader is able to gage how the character is feeling by the artistic depictions. Create a graphic story of your own either making a text to self or text to world connection. 

explore the world of Hugo Cabret!

Official Website of The Invention of Hugo Cabret!