Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
By Kate DiCamillo, K.G. Campbell
Why this book?
Flora Buckman’s parents have separated, and they’re both behaving in bizarre ways. Flora finds herself bewildered and terrified for her future until she’s befriended by Ulysses, a squirrel with superpowers. In the midst of a wildly dysfunctional family, Flora finds her pessimism turning to hope thanks to her adventures with the charming Ulysses. The author expertly blends pathos with absurdist humor, and the comic-book illustrations bring the characters vividly to life.
I love this book because it reminds me that even when the family members around us are melting down, we can stay true to ourselves and become curious about the world around us as a way to survive whatever life and our parents throw at us. Also, superhero squirrels rock.
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