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Task #20: Read a middle grade book that doesn’t take place in the U.S. or the UK
By Book Riot · 90 posts · 1679 views
By Book Riot · 90 posts · 1679 views
last updated Dec 31, 2020 02:39PM
What Members Thought
This did not live up to its hype. I expected a marvelous creation unlike any other, but what I found was a really long picture book with text on some pages and murky drawings on other pages. The story involves a group of people refusing to tell each other anything. If only they had told each other what they knew, there would be barely a story at all! But instead what we get is:
Tell me what that is!...more
No! You tell me what that is!
No! Tell me where you got that!
No! You tell me where you got that!
I really enjoyed both the illustrations and the tale that unfolded within the covers of this book. It is inventive and curious. It is the kind of book that if you let yourself be swept away by it, you will enjoy the ride. I just hope the author/illustrator comes out with another book soon.
The only lingering question.....why are so many books about orphans?
The only lingering question.....why are so many books about orphans?
Aug 10, 2011
Arianna
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
library-book,
favorites
Gorgeous. Timeless. And about Georges Melies. What could be more magical?
Jul 31, 2009
Jessica
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult-and-kids
I read this book after hearing a couple of rave reviews but without really having any idea what it was, and as I think that may be the best way to approach it, I'll try not to say too much. Hugo is a young boy living in a train station in 1930s Paris, making sure the clocks in the station all keep the correct time. He's trying to solve a mystery, and he meets a young girl who turns out to have some answers, but neither one trusts the other enough to have an honest conversation. Along the way the
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Oh my goodness!! This book was ASTONISHINGLY good. Very different. Such an innovative combination of history, fiction, art, and prose, while still being a wonderful and suspenseful story. EEEE!
Nov 12, 2008
Rhiannon
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens,
historical
Absolutely beautiful. This is the story of Hugo Cabret, who secretly lives in a Paris train station and takes care of the clocks ever since his uncle, the station's official clock caretaker, disappeared. Hugo is working on a secret project, repairing an automaton that is father was trying to fix when he died.
The book is told partially through text and partially through gorgeous full-page black and white illustrations drawn in a cinematic style. It's the kind of reading experience that almost dem ...more
The book is told partially through text and partially through gorgeous full-page black and white illustrations drawn in a cinematic style. It's the kind of reading experience that almost dem ...more
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars, mainly becuase the format of this book is so innovative/creative. The text is interspersed with full page black and white drawings that advance the plot. It's a quick, enjoyable read and I learned a lot about classic French film as well.
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I was ready to be blown away by this book... but instead I was disappointed by it. I liked the time period, the pictures and even Hugo Cabret, but the rest of the book just felt like a slightly dull history lesson.
May 17, 2010
Jennifer
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kiddie,
summerreading
Glad I finally picked this up off the pile of library books and read it. If you can quite call it reading? Incredibly inventive and smart, I was totally immersed in Hugo's world.
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Set in a train station in 1931, Paris, the story illustrates some of the history of film. Young Hugo Cabret uncovers the mystery of his clock-maker father's automaton.
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Very cool book. Written as a cross between a regular print story and a graphic novel the result was unique in a good way! And the story was cute too.
Loved it! What a great escape!
4.5 stars
