About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the complicated emotions of a changing family or feels like they have built a wall of cynicism to protect themselves from disappointment. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like a lonely outsider or who is struggling to reconnect with a parent after a divorce. The story follows ten year old Flora, a self described cynic, and Ulysses, a squirrel she rescues from a vacuum cleaner accident who develops superpowers and a soul for poetry. While the premise is hilariously absurd, the heart of the story deals with Flora's fractured relationship with her mother and her search for belonging. It is a brilliant blend of laugh out loud humor and profound emotional truth. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's feelings of being unheard while gently nudging them toward the possibility of hope and a capacious heart. It is perfectly suited for children ages 8 to 12 who enjoy quirky characters and stories that do not talk down to them.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The most distressing scene involves Flora's mother asking her father to kill Ulysses by hitting him with a shovel and burying him in the woods. While the act is not carried out, the intent and the mother's coldness toward a living creature could be upsetting for animal lovers. CONVERSATION: Be ready to discuss the impact of divorce on a child's worldview. Flora uses the term 'cynic' as a shield. Parents might need to explain how her mother's focus on her own writing career makes Flora feel neglected, leading to her belief that her mother doesn't love her.
Ideal Reader
A 9 or 10-year-old who feels misunderstood by their parents or who uses sarcasm and facts to hide their vulnerability. Also perfect for kids who love both traditional novels and graphic novels.
Parent Prep
Preview the 'shovel scene' (Chapters 14-16) if your child is particularly sensitive to animal cruelty or parental coldness. A child expressing the belief that a parent does not love them or prefers their work/hobbies over their child.
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the slapstick humor and the superhero squirrel. Older readers (11-12) will pick up on the satirical elements and the deeper nuances of Flora's existential loneliness.
What Makes It Special
The hybrid format using comic strips to illustrate the 'superhero' action sequences makes it uniquely accessible while maintaining a high level of literary sophistication.
Read plot summary
Flora Belle Buckman, a comic-loving cynic, rescues a squirrel (Ulysses) after he is vacuumed up by a neighbor. Ulysses emerges with the ability to fly and type poetry. Together, they navigate Flora's mother's plan to get rid of the squirrel, Flora's distant relationship with her father, and the arrival of a temporary neighbor, William Spiver.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Flora calls herself a cynic so she won't be disappointed. Do you think being a cynic actually protects her, or does it just make her lonely?
2
Ulysses writes poetry to express his feelings. If you had a superpower that helped you say what's in your heart, what would it be?
3
Flora's mother loves her shepherdess lamp, Mary Ann, almost as much as her daughter. Why does this bother Flora so much?
4
William Spiver claims to be 'temporarily blind' because of trauma. What do you think he is really trying to hide or avoid seeing?
5
The book mentions having a 'capacious heart.' Based on how the story ends, what does it mean to have a heart that is big enough for everything?
