While researching titles for the reading blog, I asked my school's LMS if she had any good recommendations. Immediately, she pulled this book of the shelf and handed it to me. At first glance, I told her this book had way to many pages and I would never have time to read it. She promised the book wasn't as long as it looked, and that I would truly enjoyed it. I hesitantly checked the book out and decided to give it a try. Wow, I am so glad that I did!
The black and white illustrations in this novel tell more about the story than the written words.
A young boy, lost and orphaned at a busy train station hook the reader instantly as you continuously turn the page to find out his destiny. After he crawls into a secret passage in an abandoned room, he is led to the large clock overlooking the city. While in his secret location, he hears the voices of an old man, and a young girl fighting over toys. He wonders if they are discussing the missing toys, the ones he has been stealing. When the old man discovers Hugo, Hugo was forced to give up his favorite companion, his notebook.
When reading the first chapter, it reminded me of times when we have to make tough decisions. Much like Hugo, there are times when we have to decide to give up something we love- to keep fighting for something we have. Hugo let go of his notebook to keep from being turned over to the Station Inspector. Has their been a time when you had to give up something you love?
As I continued reading the book, a question I had was, "How did young Hugo become an orphan?". Chapter 5 leads us into the past life of Hugo, when his father, a clock worker, never came home from work. The fire not only took his dad's life, but took Hugo's faith as well. It was then, that we learned Hugo's favorite notebook once belonged to his father.
Reading this, empathy for Hugo took over me even more. Hugo blamed himself for his father's death. He didn't want to live with Uncle Claude, he was tired of stealing, and he only wanted his old life back.
Reading through the book, I could relate a lot to Hugo. As with any character in a story, a character experiences changes in their lives, just like us. When I was younger, I experienced a traumatic experience comparative to Hugo. Not only did I put blame on myself, but I wanted to run away from the problem, instead of fight through it. With the help of family and friends, I was able to work through the grief and gain my old self back. Much like Isabelle was there for Hugo.
When Hugo met Isabelle, she was his turning point....
Sometimes in our darkest days, we too come in contact with someone who changes our perspective and outlook on life in such a positive way!
Although I will not tell you how the book ended, in case you decide for yourself you would like to read it. But, I will tell you that young Hugo had a life of ups, downs, but lived for a purpose and a dream. Through this book, I learned that young children's literature can be easily related to any person's life, even though Hugo was so young, his dream was larger than his age.
This is the first time I have read a book by Brian Selznick, but I will be sure to recommend this book, and others to any young reader who enjoys reading books of mystery, purpose, and perseverance.
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