In addition to the 2010 John Newbery Medal winner and honor books, I have some other books and authors to recommend. These include:
- The Last Dragon by Silvana de Mari
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
- The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
- Canadian Author Jean Little
- Louis Sachar, Author of Holes and Much More
(Cover art courtesy of Scholastic Press, An Imprint of Scholastic)
I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. I think it is fantastic for several reasons.
First, the story is gripping. Selznick tactfully maintains reader curiosity throughout the book, first by giving us questions about Hugo (Why is he alone? Why does he live in a train station? How does he survive? Why is he stealing toys? Why is he so passionate about the automaton? Will he successfully repair it?), and then once we are invested in Hugo as a character, by giving us questions about the other characters in the story (Isabelle, Papa Georges), and how the story will come out.
Another great thing about the book is that it raises and addresses deep themes that are central to coming of age. For example, the book addresses head-on the theme of loss. All of the characters in the book are coping with loss. The story shows, in an age-appropriate way, both the genuine anguish that comes with loss, and also a way through loss in restorative relationships with others. The book also tackles the theme of life-purpose, a theme that will engage young readers beginning to wonder about their place in the world.
Of course the book is extraordinarily creative, and I could go on about other aspects of it, but, all that to say, I think you are right on in endorsing this one!
Thanks for your good work Elizabeth. All the best.