LSSL 5360 Module 6 book review #1 FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

Module 6 book review #1 Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

DiCamillo, K., & Campbell, K. G. (2015). Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 978-0-7636-6040-6

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This laugh out-loud story is full of surprises, with comic book illustrations, and dynamic characters with superhero- like qualities. When a Ulysses 2000X vacuum cleaner sucks up a squirrel outside, self-described cynic Flora Belle steps right in and saves him. Little does she know he’s been given superhero powers similar to her favorite comic book character Incandesto, and that she’s about to experience a change of heart herself.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book was really funny, and the voice was outstanding- I found myself reading for Flora with an animated voice in my head because of how well developed her character was. Flora’s token sayings like, “Holy bagumba,” made me laugh out loud and really brought her to life. The full page comic book illustrations that broke up the book gave fun imagery to the story, and illustrator K.G. Campbell did a great job of using a cartoon-like style of art that perfectly fits the target audience for this young adult story.

Flora Belle is a character that despite her young age is wise beyond her years and has an old soul- her cynical attitude and realistic viewpoint on life will tell you that right from the get-go. She had outstanding vocabulary, which is a little unrealistic for a kid her age, but ultimately it’s that vocabulary that’s beneficial for our audience of readers ages 8-11. They will find themselves look up words and using context clues to discover their meaning; even as an adult, I had to do the same!

My one reservation is simply that I didn’t see a whole lot of rise and fall of conflict and resolution in this story, which I supposed isn’t necessary, but it’s what I look for in a great book. I am not sure I understood the point of the story or the resolve of it all… or if I did, it just wasn’t enough for me.

Despite that, I really enjoyed this book, and it’s mostly due to the smart, old-soul, funny, young heroine, Flora. She reminds me of Matilda- wise beyond her years, humorous, and entertaining. She always seems like she knows something we don’t.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*Newbery Medal (2014)
*National Book Award Nominee for Young People's Literature (2013)
*Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades 3-6 (2015)
*Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (2015)
*Alabama Library Association Children's Book of the Year Nominee for 4-5 (2014)

5. CONNECTIONS

*ages 8-11

*great for young minds to use in conjunction with vocabulary. Perhaps list and define words used in the novel- such as: malfeasance, capacious, obfuscation
*other books by Kate DiCamillo that you may enjoy if you enjoyed this one- The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn Dixie