Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K. G. Campbell

Flora is a self-proclaimed cynic who hated romance but loved comic books.  It was the sound of the new vacuum cleaner that interrupted her superhero reading and she made it to the window in time to see her mother swept right off her feet by the power of the vacuum cleaner.  Then the vacuum headed straight for a squirrel.  The squirrel didn’t see it coming, but Flora did and she raced down to see if he could be saved.  The squirrel survived, a lot more bald than he had been, and was now named Ulysses.  Flora knew just what to do, since she spent a lot of time also reading the comic Terrible Things Can Happen to You!  This new friendship between girl and squirrel was made even more special by the superhero powers that Ulysses developed after his accident.  But life is not simple for a superhero squirrel and his human sidekick as they quickly find out.

DiCamillo has created yet another incredible read.  She manages to write such very different and distinct books from one another, making each one a delight and a surprise to pick up and open.  Here she manages to create a superhero book that will appeal to both fans of comics and non-fans.  I personally appreciate a book that has a female protagonist who loves comics.  The addition of a furry creature as a main character is also wonderful.  Ulysses manages to be both a full-fledged character but also remain primarily an animal.  All of this speaks to the skill of the writer and her ability to create honest characters even from absurd and hilarious situations.

Interspersed throughout the book are comic panels that tell some of the story.  The book begins with one of these introducing the vacuum cleaner and Flora’s parents.  Done in black and white, the comic panels are very funny and add just the right tribute to comics.

A great read-aloud, this unlikely superhero pair are sure to fly off the shelves.  Appropriate for ages 8-12.

Reviewed from library copy.