The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

Scholastic Press 2007

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Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 533    Genre: Historical Fiction

Junior Library League Selection

2008 Caldecott Medal Winner

2007 National Book Award Finalist

Summary: Hugo Cabret works in the walls of the train station, where he maintains the clocks. Since his uncle disappeared, he has been forced to make a living for himself by stealing milk and croissants from a local shop to survive. He has a secret, however, which he feels is part of his destiny: a mechanical man, currently broken, which he hopes to repair and find out the message it is built to tell. While trying to steal parts from windup toys at a shop in the station, Hugo is caught and his drawings are discovered. He and the shopkeeper's stepdaughter try to uncover the secret of the mechanical man and it's mysterious origin, as well as that of the shopkeeper, who is a legendary movie maker in hiding. Hugo discovers that he doesn't need to steal to make a living and becomes a master magician and moviemaker himself.

     "The story . . . takes place in 1931, under the roofs of Paris. Here you will meet a boy named Hugo Cabret, who once, long ago, discovered a mysterious drawing that changed his life forever."

My Impressions: Of the book's 533 pages, 284 are filled with full-frame pictures. This gave me an impression of viewing a silent film. The most interesting thing about the book is its pictures, as they tell the story with striking depth, even without text. I was impressed that the book was able to capture my interest, as at first glance the text appears to be quite heavy and thick, but of course over half of it is told without any words at all. The depth of the charcoal illustrations within provide an extra payoff for this book.

Parent's Guide: Hugo's father is said to have died in a fire, and his uncle is also suspected to be dead. Hugo is alone, and is forced to steal to survive. Parents and kids may find his initial position to be very sad.

Recommendations: I think this book would be enjoyed by people who like and enjoy movies, as well as books with illustrations. Most of the pictures are done in charcoal, and the monochromatic feel is reminiscent of a silent film. Great book, I highly suggest it.

The Wanderings of Odysseus

The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of the Odyssey - Rosemary Sutcliff

Francis Lincoln Ltd. 1995

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Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 131    Genre: Fiction

Summary: Published posthumously, the author has succeeded in retelling the story of Homer's Odyssey in such a simpler fashion--either as a companion to the Odyssey itself, or as a storybook for children. The book follows Odysseus on his journey, and marks significant episodes as the battle with the one-eyed cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, as well as Odysseus' return to Ithaca. The author manages to tell the story in a captivating and interesting way, while helping to acquaint readers with the epic poem by Homer.

     "'My lord's own bow is still in the house,' she said. 'A great bow that few men but he can draw. In his young day, I recall, he would sometimes take twelve of the ax-rings that men use for target practice and games of bowmanship, and set them up in a row and shoot an arrow straight through all twelve, for a show of skill So I will make my contest, and whichever man can best string my lord's bow and loose his shafts through the ranged ax-rings, that man I will take for my new lord, and him will I go with, bidding farewell to this house that has been my home since I came to it as a bride.'"

My Impressions: I have had the opportunity in the past of reading a good part of Homer's Odyssey, but seem to remember having a hard time understanding epic poetry in form. I have wanted to return to the story, since I had found myself to recollect a good portion of it from somewhere, but never quite got up the courage to dive into that text. I found this version by Sutcliff an interesting version, as it told the story in a way interesting to me. I feel like epic poetry is under-appreciated due to its complexity, yet the stories there are interesting enough to appeal to everyone, and they contain many references pertinent to literature.

Parent's Guide:The epic of Odysseus contains many different battles, which result in the death of many of his best men. Additionally the cyclops Polyphemus kills several of Odysseus' men, before they spear him in the eye in order to escape.

Recommendations: The epic of Odysseus is something to enjoyed by everyone, but not everyone wants to read it in its entirety. This provides a helpful bridge to tell the story in a way that kids could understand Odysseus' travels.

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle

Crosswicks Ltd. 1962

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Reading Level: 9+  Number of Pages: 212    Genre: Science Fiction

Newbery Medal 

Sequoya Book Award

Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and was runner-up for Hans Christian Andersen Award

Summary: Meg Murray is a troubled student. To her teachers, she is simply troublesome, despite her apparent talent for math. Her teachers view her as stubborn and stupid, and a lot of blame is placed on her father, who has not come back for a very long time. Many people seem to imply that he has run off and left their family. Meg and her brother Charles Wallace are visited by some mysterious people (Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which) who teach them how they can rescue their father. They are accompanied by Calvin O' Keefe, a comforting friend of Meg and Charles, through space and time, hoping to rescue their father and combat a great and nameless evil. Charles is overtaken by a that evil, known only as IT, and Meg discovers that only she can bring him back. She discovers that in a world where everything is controlled by IT, her personal flaws and love for her brother are more powerful.

     "But that's exactly what we have on Camazotz. Complete equality.   Everybody exactly alike."
     For a moment her brain reeled with confusion, then came a moment of blazing truth. "No!" she cried triumphantly. "Like and equal are not the same thing at all!"

My Impressions: A Wrinkle in Time is regarded as an old classic of literature, particularly science fiction. There is a depth to the characters and story which can be viewed on an intransitive, basic viewpoint, or the reader has freedom to capture some deep truths hidden just below the surface. The world of Camazotz is controlled by a being known only as IT, an entity that controls everyone and everything. I was reminded of Orwell's descriptions of "Big Brother," and find some close correlations--the difference here being that IT is physically perceived by the characters: its danger and substance are almost tangible.

Secondly, I was rather impressed with the three "witches" in the story. They are called several things, but they take on an almost seraphic position in the realm of the story, and their humble initial appearance belies their true nature.

Parent's Guide: As mentioned above, there is a perceptible quality of danger found in the story, which causes it to be (perhaps) a little scary at times. Although there are some situations which seem tense and dangerous, nobody dies, and there are no other elements which would seem inappropriate for kids. I might mention that Meg is viewed by her teachers and peers as a dumb and irrational child, who has resorted to violence because some kids were making fun of her brother, but the book handles these issues very well.

Recommendations: Science Fiction is sometimes a touchy genre, for some people seem to feel that books of this type are generally the same. A Wrinkle in Time is quite different from other books I have read of this genre, and is definitely "Science Fiction" because there are no elves, magic kingdoms, or dragons. The story is incredibly fantastic, and I would suggest it especially to people who do not read all that often. Here is a story to cause you to be inspired and imagine new possibilities.

The Polar Express

The Polar Express - Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg - 1985

Houghton Mifflin - 2004

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Reading Level: 5-8  Number of Pages: 32    Genre: Christmas, Children

1986 Caldecott Medal Book
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year
ALA Notable Book for Children
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
Reading Rainbow Review Book

 

Summary: On Christmas Eve, the boy boards a train which would take him to the North Pole. When he arrives, he meets Santa Clause, who offers him whatever gift he desires. The boy asks to have a single bell from the reindeer's harness. When he gets back to the train, he notices that there is a hole in the pocket of his bathrobe, and the bell is missing. Sad and disappointed, he returns home. On Christmas morning, he opens a small gift behind the tree containing the missing bell. The bell is not audible to those who do not believe in Santa Clause, and his parents cannot hear it ring. The boy observes that even though he has grown old, he can still hear the bell, clear as always.

My Impressions: The art is done in full-color pastels which nearly fill the entire page, and the story is innocent and adventurous. The boy receives a testament to something he believes in, and finds that the gift he received helps him recall that testament. The bell and the memory of it remain as a keepsake memory which doesn't expire or grow old. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Parent's Guide: Acceptable for young children. Teaching kids about Santa is innocent enough.

Recommendations: I suggest this book as a great gift to offer at Christmastime, or as a keepsake. Try to look a little deeper than the surface message to allow the book to have greater personal importance.

Lilith

Lilith: A Friend at Hallows Eve - Difference Games

ArmorGames.com. - 2005-2011

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Reading Level: 4-8  Number of Pages: 13    Genre: Picture-book, Interactive

Summary: Lilith the young vampire awakes just in time for Halloween, and goes out to engage in the festivities. She meets another little girl, Emma, and the two go trick-or-treating together, becoming fast friends. Lilith rescues Emma from some big kids who try to take their candy by lifting her up and flying her to safety. Lilith is worried that Emma wont like her because she is a vampire, but it appears that Emma is not concerned about their differences, and is glad to have such a unique friend.

My Impressions: This story is told entirely with pictures, and the reader must progress through the story by completing the game: looking for differences in two nearly identical pictures. This is a very unique book, and was surprisingly entertaining, as it doubles as a game. Because there are no words, a reader relies on colorful pictures to tell the story--something done very well by the illustrators/animators. I found the story to be pleasant and serene: the crisis is brief, and there is a touching and sincerely happy ending.

Parent's Guide: Unless the parent has an issue with vampires in general, there are no issues with this book of which a parent should be concerned. To me the story is about how people can be friends, regardless of external appearances. The puzzles on each "page" are surprisingly challenging, and took me a few minutes to find all the differences. (There is a hint button provided, just in case)

Recommendations: Interactive books are rare, and I recommend people give them a try, just to see how they work. I think a story like this would be popular with young kids, particularly if a parent is trying to teach them to be computer-savvy at a young age.

Insectlopedia

Insectlopedia - Douglas Florian

Harcourt Brace & Co. - 1998

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Reading Level: 4-8  Number of Pages: 46    Genre: Informational, Poetry

Child magazine and Publishers Weekly honor: Best Book of the Year. 

American Library Association Notable Books for Children award - 1999

Bluebonnet nominee 2000

Summary: This book is a collection of poetry about insects and spiders, coupled with a great variety of beautiful illustrations. The author is not without his share of puns and light humor to teach kids about insects. The book is particularly fun to read aloud, and kids will enjoy looking at the pictures and laughing at the jokes.

"The i-o moth
Has mam-moth eyes
That are not real--
They're a disguise
To ward off birds
And other creatures,
Like garter snakes
And science teachers."

My Impressions: This book is entertaining and simple, and full of light humor and puns. The illustrations are colorful, and the book is as informative as it is entertaining. The illustrations are done in watercolor on paper and collage, and the effect is beautiful and interesting.

Parent's Guide: Acceptable for everyone.

Recommendations: I would recommend this book to parents who would like something interesting to read aloud to their children, or to little kids who like insects and spiders.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist - Hiromu Arakawa
(鋼の錬金術師)

Square Enix Co., LTD. and VIZ Media, LLC - 2002

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Reading Level: 13+  Number of Pages: 180    Genre:  Teen, Graphic Novel, Action

ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2010)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Top Ten (2006)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
Top Selling Graphic Novel in the US in 2005
In two TV Ashi polls, its corresponding anime was voted the #1 most popular anime of all time

Summary: Alchemy is a science allowing its user to transmute the form and even substance of a material. Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers on a quest in search of a legendary alchemic relic: the philosopher's stone, an object holding enough potential energy to  theoretically undo Ed and Al's biggest mistake, which has cost them dearly. As a result of practicing a forbidden form of alchemy, Edward was deprived of his right arm and left leg, while his brother's entire body was taken, leaving his soul attached to a suit of armor. The two brothers' journey is filled with adventure and sorrow as they help people on their way, searching for the knowledge to get their bodies back to normal.

The foundation of alchemy is the 'equivalent exchange:' "To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost." People call my brother a genius, but the reason he's so good at is he paid the price... and worked so hard.

My Impressions: A really good manga is, in my opinion, difficult to find. Fullmetal Alchemist manages to catch my interest because of the intensity of the characters, coupled with a fascinating concept. Alchemy imbues the protagonists with a dangerous and powerful ability, yet inwardly Ed and Al are just kids. They are weak, and they fail frequently. As heroes they are only helpless pawns facing a sea of dangerous enemies, but the bond between the two brothers holds them together. The story itself is very action-packed, and the illustrations are stunning. It is easy to identify with Ed because, despite his multiple prostheses and diminutive stature, he has a stoic resolve to overcome the odds.
In the above-pictured book, the first in the series, Edward and Alphonse arrive in a town seeking the Philosopher's stone. They hear of a man who works "miracles," claiming that his power is divine. They suspect that he has a philosopher's stone, and discover that he has only a cheap copy. Because the "prophet" attempts to destroy them for discovering his secret, they reveal the truth of his miracles to the whole town. Ed and Al also rescue a political leader's family from a gang of terrorists on a train. The first in the series, the book functions as a prologue to introduce the characters and acquaint the reader with the purpose of Ed and Al's journey and their eventual goals.  

Parent's Guide: The book company has labeled the book as "T" for teen, with a parental advisory for mildly strong language, tobacco/alcohol usage, and violence. The storyline itself contains elements which are decidedly dark; the function of which stands as a foil for the valiance of the hero-characters. There are also some important characters who, throughout the series, are murdered by the enemy. The book contains elements that are funny, exciting, scary, and sad, but this only helps the reader grow more attached to the main characters.

Recommendations: As the awards mentioned above indicate, graphic novels are sometimes a wise choice to recommend to reluctant readers. Sometimes it just takes the right kind of draw to get someone to like reading. I would recommend this series to any group of people who might be interested in an action-based story.

The BFG

The BFG - Roald Dahl

Scholastic Inc. 1982

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 208    Genre: Children. Fiction.

Federation of Children's Book Groups Award (UK 1982)

Deutsche Jugendliteraturpreis (Germany 1984)

International Board on Books for Young People awards for Norwegian and German translations (1986)

Good Book Guide "Best Books of the Past 20 Years" (UK 1997)

Summary: Sophie has been carried off by a giant, but the BFG is no ordinary monster. The Big Friendly Giant is only one of many giants that exist, but is very unlike the ones that eat children. When Sophie finds out that the other giants are off to England to eat people, she enlists the help of the BFG and the Queen of England to capture the giants.

"'I is hungry!' the Giant boomed. He grinned, showing massive square teeth. The teeth were very white and very square and they sat in his mouth like huge slices of white bread.

'P . . . please don't eat me,' Sophie Stammered.

The Giant let out a bellow of laughter. 'Just because I is a giant, you think I is a man-gobbling cannybull!'"

My Impressions: The first thing that struck me about this book was the sadness expressed by Sophie in the orphanage, coupled by her traumatic capture by a giant. As it turns out, the BFG is friendly, and the two become a valiant pair, working together to beat the terrible man-eating giants. I feel it is significant that Sophie is shown to grow from a sad and hopeless position to a place where she can be useful and helpful; as a reader it is easy to identify with her. The BFG is also a surprisingly real character. Despite his jumbly manner of speech, it is clear that he is a good person, even if he is awkward and also downtrodden.

Parent's Guide: The BFG deals with some very real forms of humanity, such as neglect, orphaning, and abuse. An episode with a Giant named Bloodbottler particularly evidences this, as the giant bullys the BFG, insulting him and attempting to hurt him physically. Sophie herself is nearly eaten in this encounter.  Sophie, of course is abducted from the orphanage, and fears that she will be eaten. Despite the apparent danger the characters are exposed to, they manage to find a solution to their problems which leads to a happy ending. 


Parents may also question the BFG's favorite drink, the bubbles of which cause very flatulent "whizpoppers." Treated as humorous, and not intended to be rude.

Recommendations: The BFG is a good read. I would recommend it to people who would like to experience an unusual or different sort of story. The author is well known for "James and the Giant Peach," "Matilda," and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Readers familiar with his style will definitely enjoy the unusual story of the BFG.

The Eleventh Hour

The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery - Graeme Base

Penguin Books Australia Ltd. 1988

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Reading Level: 6+  Number of Pages: 16    Genre: Children. Detective

CBC Book of the Year, Picture Book, Joint Winner 1989

Kids Own Aust Literature Award, Winner 1989

Young Aust Best Book Award, Picture Book Winner 1989

COOL Award, Miscellaneous, Runner Up 1992

Kids Own Aust Literature Award, Shortlisted 1994

New York Times bestseller

Summary:  The Eleventh Hour is a story of Horace the elephant and his invited guests to his eleventh birthday party. Horace prepares a fantastic feast for his friends, yet plans the party to last until the eleventh hour by playing several party games. The guests happily engage until the appointed time, where they enter the dining hall and find that the food has all been eaten.  Embedded in the book are clues which the reader is left to solve in order to identify the culprit!

 A book is read, a story ends, a telling tale is told.

But who can say what mysteries a single page may hold?

A maze of hidden codes and clues, a clock at every turn, 

And only time will tell what other secrets you may learn. . .

My Reaction: The illustrations are incredible and stunningly beautiful, yet they mask deeper secrets within. The true beauty of this simple childrens' book is found it the many beautifully hidden puzzles and ciphers throughout the story, adding an extra depth (and reading level) to the secrets of the book. A reader could easily spend ten minutes or six hours poring over this book with all it has to hold. The book also holds a "Where's Waldo" appeal, as the illustrations conceal many secrets to tease out. It fascinated me because I did not initially observe that there were puzzles to solve--only intricate illustrations, yet the puzzles became more noticeable before the end, leaving me to want to scour the book again, in trying to solve them!

Parent's Guide: Parents should have little to fear when choosing this book for their children. One of the guests at the party, a zebra, is dressed as a punk and has pierced his nose with a safety-pin, but all the guests are dressed in various elaborate costumes. Understandably, the puzzles and ciphers may be a bit difficult for younger children, and some may even provide a difficult challenge for adults. (there is a key at the end, but of course it is fun to try to solve the puzzles without it!)

Recommendations: I would recommend this book to inquisitive people of all ages--including those a bit longer in the tooth--who enjoy elaborate illustrations and puzzles of any variety, particularly brain-teasers or substitution ciphers. Younger children will appreciate the book's beauty, even if they do not grasp its subtlety.