The Locale: Emma & Diana’s Home
The Book: Not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things. 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 form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.
The Fun: Meeting at Emma’s was great fun! The girls paired off for interviews--One of the girls pretended to be the author while the other was the interviewer. At the end, the girls performed their interviews for their group. After that the girls discussed their favorite pictures in the book, and there were LOTS! Olivia’s mom brought a movie screen and projector and we got to view several You-Tube videos that Emma’s mom found, all which related to our book.
The Videos:
- An Interview with the Author
- A Today Show Interview with the Author from Al Roker's Book Club for Kids
- Demonstration of the Franklin Institute Automaton
- The movie A Trip to the Moon by Georges Melies
- A Train Arrives at the Station - very short - not by Melies but mentioned in the book as causing a riot when shown, as folks had never seen anything like it and thought the train was really headed toward them.
The Vote: Presented by Odessa - Blister by Susan Shreve, Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery, Ida B . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan. Ida B wins!
Up Next: Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater at Cassie’s house on November 7th.
