Flora and Ulysses

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Bibliography:

DiCamillo, Kate. (2013). FLORA AND ULYSSES. Ill. by K.G. Campbell. Mass: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763660406

Summary:

Holy bagumba!  Are Flora’s eyes playing tricks on her?  Did she really just see a squirrel lift a vacuum cleaner?  Join Flora and Ulysses on their illuminated adventure in conquering villains and finding their way home.

Critical Analysis:

The fantasy novel Flora and Ulysses was written by nationally acclaimed author, Kate DiCamillo.  True to her style, DiCamillo immediately hooks readers with her original characters.  Furthermore, making the plot entertaining for young readers is DiCamiilo’s ability to follow the natural form of the typical rising and falling action of a superhero story.  A superhero is born, villains are battled, the superhero and sidekick are in distress, but have no fear the superhero saves the day, and all is well in the world. In DiCamillo’s story, Flora is a self-described cynic at heart, but has illuminated adventures with her superhero poetry-writing-flying squirrel, Ulysses, which lead them to home and ultimately the meaning of love.  Together, Ulysses and Flora vanquish villains and learn the universal truth that you have to believe in something bigger than yourself. Additionally, the superhero ending of all is well is confirmed by the ending of Flora and Ulysses with, “He flew to her; his small, warm, hopeful body hit her with a thud that almost knocked her off her feet.  She wrapped her arms, her hands, her self around him.  ‘Ulysses,’ she said.  ‘I love you.”

Adding to the entertaining writing of DiCamillo is the illustrations of K.G. Campbell.  The enjoyment of the comic style black and white illustrations is of superhero proportions.  They only add to the pleasure of DiCamillo’s words and the superhero emphasis of the plot.  In the beginning, Campbell illustrates a scene where Ulysses is seeking out Mrs. Buckman’s typewriter in the darkness of night and typing words to defeat the evil.  Readers feel as if they are standing behind Ulysses, whispering words of encouragement while he types his first word, “Squirtel!” 

Overall, DiCamillo and Campbell present readers, fourth grade and up, a fantasy novel of superhero proportions.  Readers will cheer Flora and Ulysses on while the themes of divorce, love, believing, and friendship are to be reckoned with in Flora and Ulysses.  

Awarded:

Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal

Review Excerpts:

“Kate DiCamillo is a master storyteller.” —Booklist

“Original, touching, and oh-so-funny.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Amusing glimpses at the world.” —School Library Journal

“There’s real emotion at the heart of this story.” —Publishers Weekly

Connections:

-Use the Flora and Ulysses website for additional resources: http://www.floraandulysses.com/home.html

-Read and perform Flora and Ulysses as a readers’ theatre using the script from The Texas Bluebonnet Award: https://texasbluebonnetaward2015.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/rtfloraulysses.pdf

-Sequence the events of the story in a comic strip

-Do an author study of Kate DiCamillo

-Compare and contrast the characters from other Kate DiCamillo books.

-Brainstorm a new superhero and create a comic