BIBLIOGRAPHY
DiCamillo, Kate. 2013. Flora and Ulysses. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763660406.
PLOT SUMMARY
The story begins with a squirrel being sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Comic book loving Flora witnesses the event, runs to the squirrel’s rescue, and discovers it possesses super powers. Besides being able to lead over tall building and fly, Ulysses, as the squirrel is now named, is also able to write poetry. Flora does the only logical thing when befriending a superhero squirrel and dubs herself as responsible for aiding him in fulfilling his destiny and identifying his nemesis. Only...how do you identify your nemesis? And what do you do when your nemesis ends up being close to you?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kate DiCamillo does it again with a children’s book sure to appeal to all. With a different tone than her other titles, this story is guaranteed to keep the reader in stitches. Comic strips contained throughout the book are visually appealing and add to the overall theme and character of the book. Charming and full of rich vocabulary, DiCamillo creates a delightfully entertaining story about a finding happiness and friendship.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Medal 2014
Texas Bluebonnet Award 2014-2015
Ten-year-old Flora Belle Buckman's life changes when she befriends a squirrel with superpowers. There's only one problem: Flora's self-absorbed, romance novel writing, squirrel-hating mother. DiCamillo imbues her novel with warmth, humor, and emotion, focusing on large life issues such as loss and abandonment, acceptance of differences, and the complexity of relationships. Full-page and spot pencil illustrations accentuate the mood. - Horn Book Guide, 2013
Original, touching and oh-so-funny tale starring an endearingly implausible superhero and a not-so-cynical girl.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
CONNECTIONS
Readers who enjoy this novel should visit each of Kate DiCamillo’s other works. An author study could be done to compare her style of writing in each book.
The Tiger Rising
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Because of Winn Dixie
The Tale of Despereaux
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