Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

1. Bibliography

DiCamillo, Kate. 2013. Flora & Ulysses. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763687649

2. Plot Summary

Flora is a ten-year-old natural-born cynic. Ulysses is a squirrel who was sucked into a vacuum and transformed into a superhero. Together, the two of them fight villains and protect their friends and family.

3. Critical Analysis

This story is bright, funny, cynical, and magical. Flora has become cynical, her way to cope with having divorced parents. With Incandesto!, she is able to dive into the world of superheroes, and when the squirrel in Tootie's yard, Ulysses, is sucked into a vacuum and becomes a real-life typing, flying, and hungry superhero, she is able to live like her favorite hero. The plot is original and engaging, with Flora and Ulysses going on their adventures, from the Blixen Arms, to the Giant Do-Nut, to fighting of Ulysses's arch-nemesis, Flora's mother. They even get Tootie and William Spiver on board. 

The illustrations are in black and white and framed to look as though they are in a comic book. The chapters from Ulysses's point of view show him flying through the air as he knocks back Mr. Klaus (the cat) and from Rita's hair. The illustrations work well with building the story and showing Flora and Ulysses's adventures. Exploring themes of trauma, divorce, and cynicism, this book tells the story of how Ulysses the superhero rescued his best friend, Flora from her own cynicism.  

4. Review Excerpt(s)

John Newbery Award Winner
From Kirkus Review: "Original, touching and oh-so-funny tale starring an endearingly implausible superhero and a not-so-cynical girl."
From School Library Journal: "Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., "Holy unanticipated occurrences!") and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the supersquirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers." 

5. Connections

Students can write a poem like Ulysses would write a poem.
Students can come up with their own superhero catchphrases like "Holy bagumba!" 
Enjoy other classic works by Kate DiCamillo such as:

• The Tale of Despereaux. ISBN 9780763680893
• Because of Winn-Dixie. ISBN 9781536214352