Author/Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Plot Summary: A complicated story about a boy who lives alone inside the wall of a Paris train station. Haunting, pencil sketches illustrate the details of his life and the people interwoven in it including the bitter toy store owner, a girl he befriends, a secret notebook, the memories of his father and a mysterious mechanical man - an automaton. Part mystery, part history, part fiction, this is a compelling story that will leave you thinking long after you have completed the book.
Comments: I loved this book primarily because of its compelling story and the fact that it appeals to a wide variety of readers - both in reading level and interest. It appeals to the group of strong readers who are young - ie. grade three but for whom there are not a lot of age appropriate, challenging reading materials. References to Georges Méliès provide some historical context to the history of cinematography which would make the story appealing to older students interested in film. The concept of the automaton would appeal to future inventors and those interested in robitics.
Extensions:
1. Students will research and prepare an author study of Brian Selznick and based on this book. They will review web sites, read reviews, as well as provide their own thoughts about the book. They will present their work using presentation software such as Powerpoint.
2. In a middle or high school Exploratory class about filmmaking, this book could be assigned, read and discussed leading to a study and discussion of the work of Georges Méliès.
3. Following a read-aloud, the art teacher will conduct a lesson about pencil drawings similar to those in the book.
Themes/keywords: Georges Méliès cinematography, robots, orphans, railroad stations, Paris history
Age/Reading Level: Interest level - 3 - 6; ATOS - 5.1; Follett - 5.6; Lexile - 820
Standards:
1. ELA4R2ELA5R2/ELA6RC1 - The student consistently reads at least twenty-five books or book equivalents each year.
2. ELA6LSV2 - The student listens to and views various forms of text and media in order to gather and share information, persuade others, and express and understand ideas. The student will select and critically analyze messages using rubrics as assessment tools.
3. ELA6W3 - The student uses research and technology to support writing.
Publisher's Info: Scholastic Press, New York. 2007.
ISBN: 13 - 978-0-439-81378-5 10 - 0-439-81378-6
Awards/Review Sources:
- Wilson's Children 10/01/07
- Caldecott Medal/Honor 01/14/08
- School Library Journal starred 03/01/07
- Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/08
- Book Links (A.L.A.) 05/01/08
- Horn Book starred 03/01/07
- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 04/01/07
- Publishers Weekly starred 01/01/07
Genre/Dewey: Juvenile Fiction
Websites:
http://www.fi.edu/pieces/knox/automaton
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/intro_flash.htm -
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985121.html?categoryid=1050&cs=1 - the movie
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18725446/ - Author interview on the "Today" show
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7114977 - Author interview on NPR
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: The vocabulary in this book is not complex.
Comments