Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate Dicamillo
Illustrated by K.G. Campbell
2013, Candlewick Press
Illustrated by K.G. Campbell
2013, Candlewick Press
Follow Flora and her new found super squirrel, Ulysses, on this illuminated adventure. Once Flora figures out that Ulysses is not just any other squirrel, but instead one with strength beyond that of a normal squirrel. She decides to keep him as a pet and friend. Flora's mother is not fond of this idea, and is on a mission to find a way to get rid him. Join Flora and Ulysses on their adventures throughout the book where Flora turns to her favorite comic "Terrible Things Can Happen To You!” to navigate through their adventures.
Unique Heartwarming Eccentric Amusing
"Original, touching and oh-so-funny tale starring an endearingly implausible
superhero and a not-so-cynical girl."
--Kirkus Reviews
Awards & Honors:
- 2014 Newbery Medal Award Winner
Helpful Information:
Grade Level- 3+
Age Level- 8-10
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- Q
Lexile- 520L
Suggested Delivery- Independent read or small group
Genre- Fiction, Literature, Action and Adventure
Age Level- 8-10
Reading Level-Fountas and Pinnell- Q
Lexile- 520L
Suggested Delivery- Independent read or small group
Genre- Fiction, Literature, Action and Adventure
Key Vocabulary:
Malfeasance- a wrong doing
Oblige- to force or require (someone or something) to do something
Capacious- able to hold or contain a lot, large in capacity
Vehement- showing strong and often angry feelings
Tantamount- equal to something in value, meaning or effect
Cynic- a person who has negative opinions about other people and about things people do
Hunky-Dory- fine, doing well
Impediment- something at makes it difficult to do or complete something
Mundane- dull and ordinary
Unanticipated- not expected or anticipated
Oblige- to force or require (someone or something) to do something
Capacious- able to hold or contain a lot, large in capacity
Vehement- showing strong and often angry feelings
Tantamount- equal to something in value, meaning or effect
Cynic- a person who has negative opinions about other people and about things people do
Hunky-Dory- fine, doing well
Impediment- something at makes it difficult to do or complete something
Mundane- dull and ordinary
Unanticipated- not expected or anticipated
Comprehension Strategies:
Before Reading Activity:
Vocab-o-Gram
This strategy is used to activate a student's background on the selected vocabulary from the text. Using the key vocabulary I have given above students can sort the words with categories such as setting, characters, action, problem, and resolution. The students will then put these words into categories and make predictions about how the terms will be used in the reading. For this particular activity with Flora and Ulysses I would sort the words into the categories of problem, resolution, and action. Or you can even have it be a student guided sort and have them decide the categories they will sort the words into.
This strategy is used to activate a student's background on the selected vocabulary from the text. Using the key vocabulary I have given above students can sort the words with categories such as setting, characters, action, problem, and resolution. The students will then put these words into categories and make predictions about how the terms will be used in the reading. For this particular activity with Flora and Ulysses I would sort the words into the categories of problem, resolution, and action. Or you can even have it be a student guided sort and have them decide the categories they will sort the words into.
During Reading Activity:
Story Map
Students are introduced to many different characters in Flora & Ulysses. To help students keep track of all of these characters and keep them organized have them complete a story map of the different characters. As they are reading the novel have them complete this story guide for the characters that are introduced Some questions you can have the students answer are:
Students are introduced to many different characters in Flora & Ulysses. To help students keep track of all of these characters and keep them organized have them complete a story map of the different characters. As they are reading the novel have them complete this story guide for the characters that are introduced Some questions you can have the students answer are:
- Who are the people who were involved?
- Which ones played major roles?
- Which ones played minor roles?
- What are the characteristics of the different characters?
- What are their personalities?
After Reading Activity:
A Day in the Life...
After students have read the text have them write a "day in the life" account of a certain character from the text. Allow them to show their creativity in their writing and through a picture they may draw of the character. Characters in the book include Flora, Ulysses the squirrel, Donald and Tootie Tickham, Phyllis Buckman, George Buckman, William Spiver, Mr. Klaus (the cat), Rita (the waitress), the chef, Dr. Meescham, and even the dreaded lamp, Mary Ann.
After students have read the text have them write a "day in the life" account of a certain character from the text. Allow them to show their creativity in their writing and through a picture they may draw of the character. Characters in the book include Flora, Ulysses the squirrel, Donald and Tootie Tickham, Phyllis Buckman, George Buckman, William Spiver, Mr. Klaus (the cat), Rita (the waitress), the chef, Dr. Meescham, and even the dreaded lamp, Mary Ann.
Writing Activity:
Throughout the text Flora's mother refers to Flora as a cynic, a person who has negative opinions about other people and about things people do. Throughout the text Flora's actions show she is not much of a cynic at all. Have students support this idea with evidence from the text.
Resources:
- This resource a full website for Flora and Ulysses includes a list
of vocabulary you discuss before reading the book, a discussion guide that can be
used for a during reading activity, and writing activities that children can
complete after reading the book. - The Classroom Bookshelf, another great blog for children's books, has great ideas for before, during, and after reading activities. Including an activity about writing poetry like Ulysses the squirrel, and activity on Kate DiCamillo's word choice for the book, and an activity that gives students the chance to illuminate their own story, just like K.G. Campbell's comic book style illustrations shed light on Ulysses's superhero powers.