Fantasy, Fiction, YA Book Review: Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo DiCamillo, Kate. 2013. FLORA & ULYSSES. New York: Candlewick Press. ISBN 978-0763660406 2. PLOT SUMMARY When Flora’s neighbor accidentally runs over a squirrel with her Ulysses vacuum cleaner, Flora resusicates and saves the little squirrel’s life. The squirrel, who Flora names Ulysses (after the vacuum that almost took his life) develops super powers which include flying and the ability to write beautiful poetry. Flora, a self-proclaimed “natural born cynic”, is struggling to pick up the pieces left behind after her parents divorce. She lives at home with her romance novel writing, self absorbed mother, who has a hatred for squirrels. When Flora discovers her mother wants to kill Ulysses, she finds herself feeling unloved and abandoned. Ulysses pens a heartfelt poem depicting the emotions Flora and her mother are feeling, but before it can be read, Flora’s mother kidnaps Ulysses. Ulysses is able to escape, but Flora puts together a team to rescue him. The search for Ulysses leads Flora to her father’s apartment, where Flora and her family come together and she realizes how much her parent’s truly love her. 3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS This is a fun, silly story that provides a backdrop for more serious themes, including divorce, loneliness, and abandonment. Flora, a natural-born cynic who lives by the mantra “Do not hope; instead, observe” is an archetype that has been found in many stories before, but Flora’s humor, wit, and edge breathe new life into it. Ulysses, a flying, poetry-writing squirrel, is the perfect unforseen sidekick that teaches Flora that not everything in life has to be so black and white, and that love and friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places. Kate DiCamillo writes about the heavier topics with a subtlety and gentleness that will likely provide young readers who are experiencing these emotions comfort, and characters they can relate to. DiCamillo was able to pull together a wackadoodle story that proves love can melt even the most cynical of hearts. 4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S): SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “If you’ve never wanted to hug a squirrel before, consider those days long gone.” PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and illustrator Campbell meld prose with comics sequences in a broad comedy tinged with sadness.” 5. CONNECTIONS Look for Flora & Ulysses on Disney channel’s streaming service in 2019! https://thedisinsider.com/2018/06/02/flora-and-ulysses-coming-to-disneys-streaming-service/