Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is his second book in the style of combining story with storyboards. His first book in this style, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, won both the Newbery Award and the Caldecot Medal - the highest honors in children's literature for both story and illustrations. However, don't let the fact that this book is marketed for children prevent you from reading it. It is amazing.

Wonderstruck is the story of two people. One, Rose, lives in New Jersey in 1927. Her story is told in the illustrations. She can see the New York skyline from her house and creates wonderful miniatures of the buildings she can see outside.

In the text part is the story of Ben. Ben lives in Gunflint, Minnesota in 1977. He is a boy whose mother has just died. He is living with this aunt, uncle and cousin. They live next door to the cabin he and his mom lived in.

The stories of Rose and Ben overlap in interesting ways. Without giving away any spoilers, they both run away from home at a young age and find themselves in New York City - at the Museum of Natural History.

Selznick has created a brilliant narrative and a story that will delight readers of all ages. Selznick has been known as a great illustrator for years. But now that he is writing and illustrating his own books, readers should watch for anything he publishes! Wonderstruck is my new favorite book!

Selznick, Brian. (2011). Wonderstruck. New York: Scholastic Press.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick was nominated both for illustrations and story this year. It deserves every accolade it gets!

Told in words and pictures, this 525 page kids book is exciting and beautiful.

Hugo Cabret, 12, lives in a train station in Paris. He lives on his own and fixes the clocks in the station. It was his uncle's job, but his uncle has disappeared.

He is afraid if someone finds him he will be sent to an orphanage. But he must remain in his current home long enough to fix the mechanical man his father found at the museum. He is sure that if he can fix it, it will reveal a message from his father.

Selznick, Brian. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.