The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a well-known published text written by American author Brian Selznick, published in 2007. As this book has 284 pictures between its 533 pictures, it can be assumed that the pictures are of the same importance as the words of the story. Accordingly, the book is described by its author as 'not exactly a novel, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things.'
The story is based on twelve year old orphan boy Hugo Cabret, who lives in the walls of a busy train station in Paris, France. He works as a timekeeper repairing, adjusting, and winding all of the clocks in the station although his survival relies on secrecy and anonymity. Hugo is the owner of a slightly broken automaton which is a moving mechanical device that imitates human activity. Throughout, Hugo attempts to fix the automaton, to receive a message from his deceased father; because of his efforts, he befriends Isabelle - an eccentric, bookish girl looking for adventure. Together they work to gain understanding of the many mysteries related to the automaton and a resolution is reached.
This book was very well received and was in fact the recipient of the acclaimed Caldecott medal. As a result of the book's immense popularity, it was adapted into a film.
