WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick

September 13th, 2011 - Scholastic

Synopsis: From Brian Selznick, the creator of the Caldecott Medal winner THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET, comes another breathtaking tour de force.

Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.

I really, really, really enjoyed THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET (you can read my review here), because it was enthralling and it had twists and turns, and I just felt so wonderful being in a 1930's Paris train station. The magic of silent films, the clockwork in the walls, the automaton. *Sigh...* The movie was also fantastic, and so if you haven't seen it, I also suggest you do.

But the weird is.... I liked this more. It seemed to have so much, as we jumped from 1927, to 1977. Not only was it so cool that the 1977 part of the story was told in only words, and the 1927 part of the story was told in only pictures, but there was actually a big reason for it. There's something about these characters (I can't say what, lest it ruin a big chunk of the book) that makes it so that the medians that are used for each of their stories, the only kind that could be used. It'd make sense if you read it.

I loved seeing the 1920's story because it was so interesting, and the pictures were just so GORGEOUS!!!! But the 1970's story was so detailed because it was writing, so I loved that.

I can't say much, but I will say that the story is about 1920's talkie films, museums, city dioramas, and finding your place in the world. It was a really sweet and wonderful story. It's really good, and I definitely recommend it, even if you're not into middle grade, or even picture books, or 'finding your purpose books'. But I'm not really, either, but I still loved it.

Alright, see ya on Friday,

-Aaron

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick

January 30th, 2007 - Scholastic

Synopsis: Orphan, clock-keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father from the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

So this is going to be a quick review. I'm tired.

Anyway, this is a great book. All the characters are fun, the story was fantastic, and the elements of the mystery and the secret were just great!

The only thing, which wasn't even that big, but the big secret that drives the entire novel, seems much bigger than it actually is. It's not a letdown though. So.... Yeah. It's still a great book. ESPECIALLY with all of the beautiful illustrations by Mr. Selznick and the pictures of silent films. :)))))

This made me want to research French train stations and 1930's movie magic.

He also just came out with a new book, WONDERSTRUCK, which I'm going to try to buy soon. (His books are like 20$ each! X_X)

Also, this book's coming to the big screen soon, so if you haven't seen the trailer, here it is:

Also, sorry I haven't been blogging for the past two weeks. I'm being swamped with insanely long biology papers. I was just barely able to poke my head out from the swamp of glucose, photosynthesis, and CO2 abbreviations to review this. So, to make up for it, I'm going to blog EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. next week. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

See ya on Friday,

Aaron