Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

DiCamillo, Kate

Genre: Fiction

Flora Belle Buckman is ten years old and an only child. Her parents are getting divorced and it seems no one in the family is very happy. Dad is dating a new woman, mom is a romance novelist (writer) and all she does is criticize Flora. Flora feels kind of lonely and doesn’t have many friends. Drama will soon arrive on this family’s doorstep in the form of a squirrel. The squirrel, an ordinary squirrel, gets stuck in a vacuum cleaner, is rescued by Flora, and is named Ulysses after the vacuum cleaner brand. Turns out that as Ulysses, this squirrel can write poetry, think amazing thoughts, fly, and, well, change Flora’s life. A funny cast of characters and beautiful illustrations make this book a great read.

Perfect for you if you are in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th grade.