BIBLIOGRAPHY
DiCamillo, K., & Campbell, K. G. (2013). Flora & Ulysses: The illuminated adventures. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763660406
PLOT SUMMARY
Flora is a ten year old girl who is living with her mother after her parents’ divorce. Flora and her mother do not have a ton of similarities, much to her mother’s dislike. Her mother is a romance writer who wraps her head in romantic clouds where Flora likes to read comics, specifically those related to superheroes. An unfortunate accident between a squirrel and a vacuum cleaner produce a squirrel with super powers. Will Flora and Ulysses stop their villain?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Flora is an everyday child who is living in the aftereffects of a divorce. She is getting through it the only way she knows how. Her imagination and creativity are limitless as she creates this fantastical world where a squirrel who was run over by a vacuum cleaner acquires super powers. Flora and her father used to read this comic every night before bed. Since her moved out, she reads it alone now but somehow manages to make this connection to her father grow. Her mother doesn’t understand it or why she is wanting to play with this squirrel, who is probably diseased and has rabies.
The stylistic way in which this is written is fantastic. We see short chapters of dialog between various characters and then comic book style pictures that lend an even deeper understanding to the story line. It allows the fantastical elements to shine through such as when Ulysses flies or writes at the typewriter. The illustrations bring to life the villains of the story with clarity as well.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and illustrator Campbell meld prose with comics sequences in a broad comedy tinged with sadness.” – Publisher’s Weekly 09/24/2013
“DiCamillo has seamlessly blended comic-book elements and a zany cast of characters into a thoroughly original, heartwarming tale.” - BookPage review, Alice Cary
CONNECTIONS
*Imagine if your pet acquired super powers for a day. What would they have? What “evil villain” would you battle?
*Compare your home life to Flora’s. What are some similarities and differences?
* What does you think Flora's motto “Don't hope. Observe." mean? Do you think it is good advice? What motto do you live your life by?
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