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heidi_wilson001's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sloth249's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75
andrea12345's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
alattethoughts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very cute and lighthearted story. I think Kate Dicamillo is becoming one of my favorite author's
user613's review against another edition
3.0
This book was funny in an absurd, impossible, pathetic way. A superhero squirrel. A vacuum cleaner that turns this squirrel into a superhero.
Flora has catastrophic thoughts, which are so absurd that sometimes they are funny. She gets these scenes from her favorite comic Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, which makes these thoughts even more humorous. She has a love of drama (or so it seems from her narration), comes to think of everyone in terms of heroes or villains (and, it just so happens that she sees her mom as the villain), and her favorite comic is always at the top of her mind.
In between this absurd plotline, and drama-inclined narration, there are also some deep themes explored. Flora’s mother’s love. Flora’s relationship with her father. Feelings of belonging. Friendship. And, of course, Flora’s own favorite message, of fighting evil and emulating her favorite superhero.
This is a fun, lighthearted, clean read, perfect for fans of clever dialogue, witty narration, and strong heroes (or heroines and squirrels)
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Content:
An almost dead squirrel sees a bright light and is happier than ever before. Flora loves to think about a superhero who “becomes a righteous pillar of light so painfully bright that the most heinous villain trembles before him and confesses!”. Twice it’s mentioned that a dead person is singing with the angels. Dr. Meescham tells Flora that “since it could not be proven whether God existed, one might as well believe that [H]e did.”
Many cases of non-graphic violence, and catastrophic thinking. Flora’s mother smokes and writes romances.
Flora has catastrophic thoughts, which are so absurd that sometimes they are funny. She gets these scenes from her favorite comic Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, which makes these thoughts even more humorous. She has a love of drama (or so it seems from her narration), comes to think of everyone in terms of heroes or villains (and, it just so happens that she sees her mom as the villain), and her favorite comic is always at the top of her mind.
In between this absurd plotline, and drama-inclined narration, there are also some deep themes explored. Flora’s mother’s love. Flora’s relationship with her father. Feelings of belonging. Friendship. And, of course, Flora’s own favorite message, of fighting evil and emulating her favorite superhero.
This is a fun, lighthearted, clean read, perfect for fans of clever dialogue, witty narration, and strong heroes (or heroines and squirrels)
Similar recommendations:
[b:The Bad Beginning|78411|The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1)|Lemony Snicket|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436737029l/78411._SX50_.jpg|1069597]
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Content:
An almost dead squirrel sees a bright light and is happier than ever before. Flora loves to think about a superhero who “becomes a righteous pillar of light so painfully bright that the most heinous villain trembles before him and confesses!”. Twice it’s mentioned that a dead person is singing with the angels. Dr. Meescham tells Flora that “since it could not be proven whether God existed, one might as well believe that [H]e did.”
Many cases of non-graphic violence, and catastrophic thinking. Flora’s mother smokes and writes romances.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
This was a really fun story - I loved Ulysses and the fun he has while getting to learn how his new life works.
beckyb16's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story and yes, I had to check it out since it just won the Caldecott! The story revolves around the adorable Flora - a wonderful character full of spunk! She and her superhero squirrel learn a lot about life and teach some others in the process - this was a fun story that captured me from page one!
sunset8305's review against another edition
4.0
This book was cute - loved the references to Flora's comic books throughout. Great story overall - ultimately teaches one about how to care/bond with humans and animals and addresses how dynamic families operate and/or work through conflicts. Very creative/imaginative :)
kittyhollow's review against another edition
5.0
HOLY BAGUMBA! This book was amazing. A natural born cynic, who loves to read comic books and has amazing knowledge about all things disastrous meets a superhero squirrel who writes poetry and flies. If that isn't a recipe for adventure, I don't know what is. The characters in this story really shine. Everyone is complex and dynamic, yet simple enough for you to get an idea of what they are like very quickly. The connection between Flora an Ulysses can be such a tear jerker, especially when Ulysses writes his own chapters.
Like all Kate DiCamillo's stories this one is best read out loud. My little ones (5 and 3) adore Ulysses and Flora. The story touched on quite a tender areas for children that we were able to discuss through Floras situation and her feelings-divorced parents, loneliness, and hurt feelings just to name a few. More than that, they have added a few choice saying to their vocabulary. Have you ever heard a three year old say "holy unanticipated occupancies"? If not you are missing out. All in all, I loved loved LOVED it. This will be a re-read for sure.
Like all Kate DiCamillo's stories this one is best read out loud. My little ones (5 and 3) adore Ulysses and Flora. The story touched on quite a tender areas for children that we were able to discuss through Floras situation and her feelings-divorced parents, loneliness, and hurt feelings just to name a few. More than that, they have added a few choice saying to their vocabulary. Have you ever heard a three year old say "holy unanticipated occupancies"? If not you are missing out. All in all, I loved loved LOVED it. This will be a re-read for sure.