The Marvels by Brian Selznick

The Marvels by Brian Selznick, 665 pages

The Marvels is one of the most fascinating books I have read.  This third book written by Brian Selznick in words and pictures is a complex story of a young boy named Joseph Jervis who runs away from school to his Uncle Albert in London.  With the help of his young friend Frankie, Joseph discovers the hidden story of his past and of his mysterious relatives.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, 637 pages

Wonderstruck is a book about two people who live 50 years apart and share a common quality.  Ben and Rose are both deaf.  Ben's story takes place in the present and Rose's story takes place 50 years prior.  But, they both have a very strong common bond.  Ben who lives with his aunt and uncle in Minnesota finds himself one day running away to travel to New York to find the father he has never met.  What Ben finds is a grand adventure in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and finds a lady named Rose who shares her past with him.  This is a beautiful tale told in words and pictures.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel In Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick, 533 pages

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated book about a twelve year old orphan named Hugo who lives in the train station walls of Paris. Hugo finds himself living alone after his Uncle disappears and dies. Hugo is left to care for all the clocks in the station. When the notebook that belonged to his father disappears, Hugo finds himself befriending Isabelle, the goddaughter of the toyshop owner that he has been stealing from.  This was a beautiful story!