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Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo 

Bibliography

DiCamillo, Kate. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures. Candlewick Press, 2013.

ISBN: 978-0763660406

Plot

Flora, a precocious and cynical 10 year old girl, rescues a squirrel from a ferocious outdoor vacuum cleaner. Named Ulysses after the vacuum cleaner that sucked it up, the squirrel has unusual superpowers, or so Flora believes. After successfully sneaking Ulysses into the house, unawares of her flighty Mother, Flora begins to learn what superpowers the squirrel has acquired. After proving his intelligence and bravery, Ulysses suddenly goes missing, throwing Flora into a search for him before he dies at the hand of his nemesis. Joining Flora are William Spiver, Dr. Meescham, Tootie, and George Buckman for an adventure that will show Flora what really matters in a not-so-terrible world. Along the way, she makes new friends and learns an important fact about her parents.

Critical Analysis 

The story of Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo invokes laughter and tears, with antics and drama aplenty. The plot begins in a normal world, with a cynical little girl whose parents have gone through divorce. The sudden spark of intrigue begins with the first pages, where a short prelude introduces the reader to a large vacuum cleaner. When a squirrel gets sucked up and obtains magical powers, the reader is drawn into a plot which centers on a budding friendship and the discovery of these simple, but profound powers. 

Ulysses as a character is credible, even in the fantastical moments when he is surprising the humans with unusual abilities. He is demonstrated to be kind and philosophical, as well as brave and lighthearted. DiCamillo succeeds in bringing to life a realistic squirrel, with thoughts that are authentic to the character. Flora as well is a multidimensional character, with feelings beyond her self described cynical thoughts. She is determined and full of faith in a sense of adventure and the unbelievable. Flora and Ulysses presents many characters which are developed, from William Spiver to Flora's Father. 

The theme of love conquering all prevails in the plot. Although there is a touch of villain present in a few of the characters, in the end it is love which saves the day. Flora finds through her adventures that her parents, although divorced, both love her tremendously, and are willing to sacrifice their own desires for her. Throughout the book, moments of tenderness between Flora and her individual parents are present and assist in promoting the budding friendships between William Spiver, Flora, and Ulysses. 

Vivid details abound in the setting, and are promoted through cartoon illustrations which are whimsical. The poetry in the story will stay with readers as it ties together the short chapters in the story. A delightful romp through a succinct plot line that shows that family really matters, even if isn't always perfect. 

Excerpts of Reviews 

"Campbell's rounded and gentle soft-penciled illustrations, at times in the form of panel art furthering the action, wonderfully match and add to the sweetness of this oddball story. Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., “Holy unanticipated occurrences!”) and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the supersquirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers."

School Library Journal 

"In "Flora and Ulysses," longtime fans will find a happy marriage of Mercy Watson's warmth and wackiness and Edward Tulane's gentle life lessons. In Flora, they will find a girl worth knowing, and one they will remember."

New York Times 

"This is a fun and clever tale of an unlikely hero uniting an even more unlikely cast of characters. Kate DiCamillo strikes again. Each character is well-drawn, the story is packed with fun references and asides. It's a perfect blend of poignancy and magic."

Parents Choice Book Awards 

Connections

1. Discuss how Flora and William Spiver became friends. Hold a conversation on how to become friends and be a friend. Read other books about unlikely friendships, such as: 
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White 
Jane, the Fox & Me By Fanny Britt

2. Re-read Ulysses poetry and have students create their own poetry with a message. 

3. Have students create their own comic strips, as K.G. Campbell does in the story. 

4. Read more stories by Kate DiCamillo, such as: 
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
The Magician's Elephant
The Tale of Despereaux
Tiger Rising

The Odyssey a graphic novel by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography 

Hinds, Gareth. The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel. Candlewick Press, 2010.

ISBN: 978-0763642686

Plot  
Odysseus is trapped on an island after he offends one of the gods returning home from the Trojan War. When the gods decide to release him, he begins a journey back to his home in Ithaca, where hundreds of suitors are spoiling his food and waiting to marry his wife. On the way back home, he stays with King of the Phaeacians and tells his story of how he ended up on the island. After many trials and battles, in which Odysseus loses loyal men to beasts and magic, Odysseus arrives home in Ithaca. With the aid of the gods, he defeats all the suitors and makes peace with their fathers. The book is a graphic novel based on the traditional tale told by Homer.

Critical Analysis

The Odyssey pulls the reader into the fantastical "willing suspension of belief" through its action packed plot line. Odysseus is a character whose flaws and strengths shine clearly through his decisions. Whether choosing to risk his men's safety to defeat the Scylla unsuccessfully, or wisely following the advice of Kings, Odysseus shows that he can be both god-like and human in his flaws. Each of the characters of the gods are also well developed in what Hinds' chooses to portray in the graphic novel. For example, Athena is seen in all aspects as a helper to Odysseus, and her nature as a source of wisdom is shown through these scenes. 

The plot is grounded in a sense of reality, as a lonely boy without a father and a grieving wife are part of the first chapter, something that readers will be able to identify with. A universal theme of good vs. evil is set up from the beginning, when the suitors are ravaging Odysseus' land and animals, and Odysseus is trapped on an island. As Odysseus recounts his tale, he faces foe after foe which further the theme and make the reader yearn for his safe return home to his family. 

The journey plot line is fleshed out within the journey home that Odysseus makes; he re-tells his previous journey while on a present one. Hinds does an excellent job of distinguishing between the two, so that the reader knows by looking at the text boxes which is past experience and which is present action. 

Hinds' illustrations vividly show the action of the classic text. Whether creating a mellow, happy mood in the Isle of the Mists, to the bloodshed at the final victory over the suitors, the watercolor acts as a portrait of the story. Gareth Hinds also demonstrates knowledge of the original text and respect towards the language of The Odyssey. He directly quotes the text twice, and uses appropriate vocabulary throughout the story. A well done graphic novel variation of the tale. 

Excerpts of Reviews

"Hinds's beautiful watercolors skillfully capture the rosy-fingered dawn, the wine-dark sea, the land of the dead, and many other settings and characters that will inspire readers. This adaptation goes far above and beyond the “highlights” coverage that other versions such as Tim Mucci's The Odyssey (Sterling, 2010) provide. Hinds's work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classic story."

School Library Journal 

"Hinds lets the epic story take its time, with a slow build and pages that aren’t afraid to alternate packed dialogue with titanic action. The sumptuous art, produced with grain, texture, and hue, evokes a time long past while detailing every line and drop of sweat on Odysseus’ face and conveying the sheer grandeur of seeing a god rise out of the ocean. Teens may be baffled by the hero’s commitment to the same pantheon of gods who heap trouble in his path, but they will not lose touch with the universal qualities of steadfastness that Odysseus still embodies."

Booklist 

"A timeless long-ago past comes alive in these images of gods and heroes, monsters and enchantresses; of mayhem, lovemaking, and touching reunions-all arrayed in frames whose shape, number, and palette expertly pace and propel the story. As introduction, outline, illustration, and visual translation, a worthy companion to its great predecessors."

The Hornbook 

Connections 

1. Use the Hero's Journey interactive application to explore more Epic texts: 

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/herosjourney/

2. Read The Odyssey by Gillian Cross and compare/contrast with The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds. How are the two visions different and the same? 

3. Learn more about Greek Mythology by reading books such as: 
Heroes of Olympus by Philip Freeman
Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green

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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

Bibliography

Green, John. The fault in our stars. Penguin UK, 2012.

ISBN: 978-0142424179

Plot

Hazel is a young girl who is obsessed with the book An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. She has terminal lung cancer, and her parents make her go to a cancer support group. At the support group, she meets Augustus, who also has cancer. Augustus and her fall in love, and Augustus uses his Wish from the Make a Wish Foundation to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet the author of her favorite book, in order to find out the ending. When they meet the author, however, he is a grumpy old man who is so cynical that he refuses the teenagers the answers to the questions they ask. When Hazel and Augustus return to the States, Augustus faces one last challenge to his health, and eventually dies. Hazel performs his eulogy at his funeral and receives a surprising gift.

Critical Analysis 
The characters of Hazel and Augustus may be identifiable with teenagers. They are both attempting to be individualists through their shared disease. Augustus manages this more clearly through selfless acts rather than complete selfishness, while Hazel moves through the plot largely unchanged in her attitude towards life and people. Augustus seems to grow in his battle with the disease, as he gives his wish to Hazel and allows his weakness to present itself. I found that the characters were both somewhat cruel to their parents in their actions and words - both seemed to disregard their parents as sidekicks to their lives.

The plot is mostly true to life, however, it does have a large amount of predictability in the attitude it takes on death and suffering. Although the plot involves two children who have cancer, there are rare moments when the children are doing child-like activities, such as school or even play. Most of the plot is either the two children "hanging out", or on an adventure in Amsterdam, which is not an entirely plausible setting. Very rarely during the story is a hospital or doctor mentioned.

Green presents through the plot line a point of view that those who suffer are only able to be hurt, not hurt others, such as their parents. He also presents teenagers with the view that a relationship is unilateral, rather than communal. Hazel and Augustus pursue their relationship void of their parents or even their close friend Isaac. This theme of singular romance is prevalent through the book, as well as a theme of finding identity. According to the main characters, identity is found in having cancer and also in another person.

Green presents both gender's sides of the story in The Fault in Our Stars, with a sensitive male figure in Augustus and the voice of Hazel heard loudly. The issue of cancer is presented within a family structure, showing how each character's families affect them and assist them with the disease. The plot also presents conflicts that arise out of the impact that cancer has on the family. 

Excerpts of Reviews 

"Beautifully conceived and executed, this story artfully examines the largest possible considerations—life, love, and death—with sensitivity, intelligence, honesty, and integrity. In the process, Green shows his readers what it is like to live with cancer, sometimes no more than a breath or a heartbeat away from death. But it is life that Green spiritedly celebrates here, even while acknowledging its pain. In its every aspect, this novel is a triumph."

Booklist 

"The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness."

Time Magazine 

“John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, touching valentine to the human spirit.” 

The Washington Post

Connections

1. Read other stories in which the main protagonist has cancer, such as: 
Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan 
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr 

2. After reading the book, go to John Green's Q&A about the book. http://johngreenbooks.com/questions-about-the-fault-in-our-stars-spoilers/
Have students write their own questions that they would ask the author about the book. 

3. Discuss how, near the end of their lives, both Hazel and Augustus chose to make the best of it and went overseas, fell in love, and started a new friendship. Have students think about what they would do, or can do now, to make the best out of a hard situation they are going through, or even just their general lives. 

4, Read other books written by John Green, such as: 
An Abundance of Katherines 
Looking for Alaska 
Paper Towns 
Will Grayson, Will Grayson