Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher
Copyright 2007
288 pages
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

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     While reading this book I went through a roller coaster of emotions starting with confusion, sadness, anger, and a whole lot more that I can't even put into words. After finishing it, I still can't say whether I liked it or not and I definitely won't end with my usual "All in all this was a good book that..." The topic of suicide is not one you encounter in many books. Many are not sure how to react to it because of its seriousness, but also the stigma that is around it. One thing that I do not like about this book is that it fits the stigma. People who kill themselves do it for attention. I have heard it many times, but I sure don't believe it. This book seemed like exactly that though. Hannah Baker is given a reputation in high school based on rumors. As things in her life snowball based on this rumor, people around her do not notice the downward spiral she is on that leads to her suicide. Before killing herself she makes cassette tapes telling her story so that a select thirteen people will know the part they played in her decision. Like I said earlier, it fits the stigma of committing suicide for attention.
     The format of this book was different than most. The tapes were a twist that I don't think I have ever encountered in a book before. The mixture of Hannah's story and Clay's reaction was interesting. I liked it because you got his immediate reaction, instead of it switching off each chapter like most two sided stories do. At times though when I was deep into the story, I didn't notice the slight font change and would not realize that the point of view had changed from Hannah to Clay or Clay to Hannah. This would confuse me and I would have to reread sections sometimes.
     The theme of the story is an important lesson that all should be aware of. You may think that what you do is small, but you never know how it will affect someone else and how many other things they are going through. You need to be aware of your actions and how they may make someone else feel.
     The overall feeling of this book to me was hopelessness. From the beginning, you knew that Hannah committed suicide and there was nothing that could change that throughout the book. You only were able to learn why. I think it is a good thing for this book to have that feeling because not all real life situations have a happy ending. Life is not a fairy tale and the damsel in distress is not always saved by the knight in shining armor. Too many stories have the happy ending that in real life does not always come.

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The Giver

By Lois Lowry
Copyright 1993
225 pages
Genre: Dystopian Fiction

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     I am usually fascinated by dystopian novels and this one was no different. It always makes me think of how different our lives would be if they were controlled like this and I wonder if it will ever actually come to this in the future. It made me think about how nice it would be to not have to deal with real feelings of pain or sadness, but also how empty our lives would be without love and true happiness.
     This story used foreshadowing in interesting ways. We could guess that Jonas would be special or different, not only because he is the main character and protagonist, but because of how he was described as having different eyes that were not very common and also because of his experience with the apple. These small differences gave us hints that he would be even more different in ways we did not yet know. We also can assume what may happen because many stories of the same genre have a similar story line. It usually starts with everything being smooth and structured, but then someone discovers what life used to be like and questions authority, and eventually decides to go against authority to show others how it could be. Making assumptions based on genre is part of the intertextual lens because I am basing my assumptions on other works of the same genre.
     The use of figurative language was interesting in this novel. Since Jonas was unaware of some of the things The Giver referred to figuratively, The Giver then had to show him a memory so that he would understand. An example of this is when he referred to going downhill. Jonas had never seen a hill because in their community the ground is flat. The imagery in this story gets more descriptive as the story progresses because Jonas is starting to see more and also feel more, which allows him to better describe his surroundings.
     All in all this is an interesting novel that makes me think about things I usually wouldn't. I am interested to find out if the sequels are good as well.

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Flowers for Algernon

By Daniel Keyes
Copyright 1966
311 pages
Genre: YA Science Fiction

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     I remember reading a shorter version of this story when I was in high school, so when I saw this recommended on a library site I thought it would be interesting to get the whole story. I am happy I did because it was a great read that I found very interesting. At times I was baffled by the language (the consistent use of the word retard), but I had to remind myself of the time period in which it was written in order to see past that.
     The layout of the book and the point of view worked very well for this story. The use of progress reports from the first person point of view really allowed the reader to understand what Charlie was going through. We were able to see how his learning progressed through the language and grammar of his progress reports and we were also able to see his emotional progression through the feelings he expressed in the reports.
     This story also used a lot of foreshadowing. Since Algernon had also undergone the operation before Charlie we were able to see the effects on him before they happened to Charlie. This consistent foreshadowing still served its usual function of creating suspense in this story because as readers we hoped that they would find a way around the inevitable. Even though we saw it happening to Algernon, we hoped that they would figure out a cure or solution before anything negative happened to Charlie.
     Looking at this story critically though, its view of people with mental disabilities is very negative. All throughout Charlie's life people are making fun of him, not wanting to be around him, or trying to fix him. This may give readers a negative view of people with mental disabilities.
     All in all it was a good story that I would recommend to those that are interested.

Fire Engine No. 9

By Mike Austin

Copyright 2015

40 pages

Genre: Informational

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     This book is full of great illustrations that bring us into the experience of a firefighter with almost no words. One part of the book that I really like is the final page that provides instructions and tips for if you are ever in danger of a fire in your home. This is important because kids should look at fires as something serious and dangerous, not just something cool that you see in a book or movie. Austin also did a great job of representing a variety of people in this book. Along with the white male, there are also males of color and even female firefighters depicted in the story. This allows many people to be able to see themselves in this story instead of just the stereotypical white males saving the day. All in all it is a good book to inform young children of fire safety in a colorful and creative way.

The Lost Princess

Written by George MacDonald

Illustrated by Bernhard Oberdieck

Copyright 1992

134 pages

Genre: Fairy Tale

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     This story is one I that my mother read to my sisters and me before bed when we were young. It is not one that I remembered very well (I must have fallen asleep when she read it), but it is a favorite of my sisters. Reading it now I am not as pleased as I thought I would be. The story did not keep my attention very easily. I got distracted more than once and had to reread parts of it. The wording that is used made it harder for me to understand. I can only imagine the difficulty for young ones to understand it.
     This story teaches children to be good. The wise woman takes away the snotty princess to teach her to be a better person. This story is stereotypical in that the princess is rude and does not appreciate what she has. She also thinks herself better than others.
     A part of the story that I find interesting is that the appearance of the children seems to depend on their kindness. The princess is described as having an ugly face at the beginning of the story. At the end of the story her beautiful face goes unrecognized by her parents at first. Another part I find interesting is when the shepherdess dislikes the princesses actions, not knowing she is the princess, and is about to compare her to her own rude daughter, but stops herself. She thinks of her own daughter fondly even when she acts just as rude as the princess. It is strange how actions are okay in one person and despised in another.
     A part of the story that I found funny is when the princess says that she would have been glad to clean the wise woman's cottage, but because she was asked she is unwilling. The fact that the princess admits this is rather amusing and shows how defiant she is. I probably have done that in the past, but never used it as an excuse out loud because it is foolish.
     All in all it is an interesting story that I am not sure that I would recommend it to others.

O'Sullivan Stew

By Hudson Talbott
Copyright 1999
48 pages
Genre: Fantasy

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     Another family favorite, O'Sullivan Stew is a great story of the adventures of the O'Sullivan clan. Each of the four have a story that is far worse than the situation they are in now, about to be hung for stealing the kings horse. I find it funny that the king allows them to be free just for telling him a story. They are great stories though. One of my favorite pictures is when Kate finishes the last story and you now see a whole group of people gathered around listening to the stories.
     Another thing that I really like about this story is that it has a strong female character. Kate O'Sullivan is the one who convinces her family to help steal back the witch's horse from the king so that the witch will no longer torment the village. She is also the one who speaks up to the king and bargains for their lives. At the end of the story she shows her independence by deciding to take a few years off to adventure alone even though the king has asked for her hand in marriage.
     All in all it is a great Irish tale that is fun for young ones to read.

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Babushka's Doll

By Patricia Polacco
Copyright 1990
40 pages
Genre: Children's Fiction

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     This story was another that was popular in my childhood. My mother would read this book aloud to me and my siblings. This book teaches a good lesson of kindness and patience by showing the child how hard it is to take care of someone else. Even though the theme is positive, I was never quite a fan of this one even though my sisters liked it. A doll coming to life was definitely already an irrational fear of mine, so reading a book about it didn't quite help. My mother though could probably relate to this story with six kids always wanting her attention. I know there were times, probably many, where I was impatient and got upset because my mother was busy with something or someone else. All in all it is an old story that teaches a positive lesson that all young children can something learn from.

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Hershel and the Hannukah Goblins

Written by Eric Kimmel
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Copyright 1985(text) 1989(illustrations)
30 pages
Genre: Trickster Tale

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     This story has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. My mother would read it to me and my siblings when we were young. My favorite part of the book is the illustrations. Some of the goblins look silly to me. My siblings and I always found it funny how he tricked all of the goblins, especially the one who gets his hand stuck in the pickle jar.
     I am not quite sure how or why this book became a favorite of ours. When I was young my family was Catholic, so we did not celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. That still did not stop us from enjoying a good trickster tale. I like that in the back of the author explains a few things about Hanukkah for readers who do not know or celebrate. All in all it is a good book that is not only silly because of Hershel's tricks, but it teaches about a religious holiday that some may not be familiar with.

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The Seven Silly Eaters

Written by Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Copyright 1997
38 pages
Genre: Exaggerated Realistic Fiction

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     This book was always a favorite when my siblings and I were young. My mother would read it aloud to us often. Me being one of six siblings, my mother could probably relate to this story. Of course we weren't as picky, but it was still probably very hard at times to make food that was liked by all eight of us in the family. There are always those meals though that everyone loved and were glad to help make together. I find it funny that not only do the Peters have 7 kids, they also have a dog and multiple cats. This makes it an even crazier household.
     Nowadays there are probably less families that can relate to this book because the average size of a family seems to be decreasing. Also, looking at it critically, this story reinforces the mother being the main caretaker of the children. She is the one who stressfully prepares all of the meals while the father is just a background character in the pictures.
     This story will always be a favorite of mine though because it has meaning to me and my family.

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The Magician's Nephew

By C.S. Lewis
Copyright 1955
202 pages
Genre: Fantasy

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     I have heard of The Chronicles of Narnia, but have never gotten around to reading any of them. When a family friend and librarian recommended it, I thought now was as good a time as any. After reading the first of the series, I am definitely interested in reading the rest of them. I found it interesting that, according to Goodreads, this book was the sixth of seven to be published even though it is the first in the series. It makes me wonder if the interpretation of the stories would be different if I were to read them in publication order instead of the chronological reading order.
     I have heard lots of talk about the symbolism in these stories and now that I have read one I understand. The presence of religious symbolism is very prominent. Aslan the lion actually creates a world making him an obvious symbol of God. He also picks two of each animal to give special powers of speech. This is reminiscent of Noah's Ark because two of each are picked. Another religious reference is made between the story of Adam and Eve. Not only does Aslan call them the son of Adam and the daughter of Eve, but the story of the forbidden fruit is referenced when Digory gets a special apple for Aslan and is almost tempted by the witch. I find this religious symbolism in fantasy very interesting because to some it may seem to be mocking religion, comparing something in which people believe to a fantasy story that is by definition fictional. Religion is often a taboo topic that causes lots of controversy because of the abundance of different religious beliefs that exist.
     All in all I found it to be an interesting storyline that can be analyzed in many ways.

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Mr. Squirrel and the Moon

By Sebastian Meschenmoser
Copyright 2006     English translation Copyright 2015
48 pages
Genre: International Fiction

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     This was a funny story about how a squirrel wakes up to find what he thinks is the moon on the tree in which he lives. For fear of being put in jail for stealing it, he tries to get rid of it, but runs into problems along the way. One thing I found interesting about the story is that you have to look at the inside cover page and title page to give you part of the story. Most people I would assume go straight to the first page of words and because of that I was a little confused in the beginning. When I looked back, I realized the hints that were given before-hand. My favorite part of the story is the illustrations of Mr. Squirrel in jail sharing a cell with a human man. I found it very amusing. I will definitely use this book in the future.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

By Eric Carle
Copyright 1987
26 pages
Genre: Children's Counting Concept book

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     This book was a cute way to introduce children to counting. It is also a great way to introduce the topic of a caterpillar's life cycle from a caterpillar to a butterfly. One artistic element that I like is how the size of the page depends on the amount of fruit he eats. This is a good way to show that the numbers are getting larger. My favorite thing is the small holes in the pages that make it look like the very hungry caterpillar actually ate through the food. All in all, it is a great book for young children just beginning to learn their numbers and count.

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Math Curse

Written by Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by Lane Smith
Copyright 1995
32 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction (Mathematics)

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     This is a cute book about how math comes up in our everyday lives. Wherever you go, no matter what you do, math is involved. Realizing that is kind of overwhelming. Yes I love math, but I do not want to think about it all the time. As a lover of math though, I was unable to go through this book without solving all of the math problems she came across.
     I found this book to be very humorous. The main character comes up with so many problems related to math and is beginning to go crazy, but right when they break their math curse, the science curse begins.
     All in all, this was a funny book for many to enjoy.

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Blackout

By John Rocco
Copyright 2011
40 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction

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     This was a great story about spending time with family every once in awhile. When I am home I feel the same way. My brothers are playing video games, my sisters are doing homework, and my mom is busy. It is always nice to come together and take time away from the electronics to have fun as a family. A very fond memory I have from when I was little is of my brothers and I playing board games together during a blackout. Another thing I love about a blackout is that the stars are so much brighter when the city lights can't cover them from our view.
     All in all this was a cute book with a great message for all.

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Dandelions

Written by Katrina McKelvey
Illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan
Copyright 2015
32 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction

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     This was a cute story about a young girl being upset about her dad mowing over the dandelions and the fun they have when they find a couple still standing. This book reminded me of when I was little and loved to blow the white puffs all over the place. My parents would always tell me not to because we had enough weeds in our yard, but it was so fun and I had so many wishes that I wanted to come true. What I really liked was that the dad did not think it was silly for her to be sad over such a small thing. He found a way to cheer her up and have fun. All in all it is a cute book that young ones will like.

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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

By Jennifer E. Smith
Copyright 2012
236 pages
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction Romance
 
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     Yes, young adult romances are one of my favorite genres, but that is not the only reason that I loved this book. Of course, like in most, if not all romance novels, you know that the main characters will end up together in the end no matter what. (Sorry if that was a spoiler. You must not read much romance.) Even though it is a fairy tale ending that is unlikely, but not impossible, to happen in real life it always makes me so happy.
     Hadley and Oliver's relationship is not the only important relationship in this story though. Their relationships to their families are actually the reason that they meet one another. I identify with the way Hadley feels toward her family in so many ways. Like Hadley, I have divorced parents. In the story, Hadley's father asks for the divorce and very soon after is with another women allowing you to only assume this woman is the reason behind it. This situation is familiar to me except flipped around with my mother being the one who requested the divorce and was with someone soon after. I relate to Hadley's feelings toward this new person and the relationship that they have with my family member. In this story though, Hadley realizes that it was better for both of her parents in the long run and that the only important thing is that they are all happy. I am starting to realize this in my own situation and I find Hadley to be very inspirational. Oliver's family relationship is also very important. His father was not the best man, but showed his love in his own way. When Oliver's father dies he is very unsure of how to deal with it, but together him and Hadley start to figure things out.
     I really liked that this book was not all about the love between Hadley and Oliver. The love you feel for your family is so important and seldom recognized compared to romantic love.
     All in all I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to not only romance novel lovers, but to others as well.

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Roller Girl

By Victoria Jamieson
Copyright 2015
240 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction

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     Before today I have never read a graphic novel, and before today I never knew that I enjoyed them so much. Not only was it a fun and quick read, but I enjoyed the storyline as well. Doing things on your own can be very scary and nerve-wracking. Like Astrid. the first time I went to an activity by myself I was so nervous. From the age of four to the age of eighteen, I danced at the same studio as my sisters. When I got to college though and wanted to try out for a dance team, I almost didn't because I was to scared to go without them. Astrid teaches a great lesson that trying new things can be a great opportunity.
     I also felt a connection to Astrid's friend crisis. When I transitioned from fifth to sixth grade my supposedly best friends decided that she no longer needed me and even though I called them, we didn't talk all summer. It was very upsetting to me, but I learned about what I needed and wanted in a true friend.
     This book also tells the story of a girl who is trying to find herself. I can definitely identify with that. Figuring out who you are is so hard to do, especially when so much around you is changing. I am still trying to figure out who I am and what I love to do. Astrid is lucky to find something she enjoys doing at such a young age.
     One thing I did not like was that on one of the final pages it showed Astrid leaving behind the flowers her old best friend, Nicole, gave her. I understand that it is trying to show that she has been able to move on and make new friends, but it gave me a weird feeling. It is okay to no longer be friends with someone and drift apart, but it seemed like Astrid was just forgetting all about her and not caring that they made up,
     All in all, it was a great story about life and growing up that many should read.

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Appleblossom the Possum

Written by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Illustrated by Gary A. Rosen
Copyright 2015
274 pages
Genre: Anthropomorphic Fantasy

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     The story of Appleblossom and her family adventure is definitely a cute one for many to enjoy. Learning to survive without the constant help of their mama can be exciting and scary. That is exactly what Appleblossom faced when her mother told her and her siblings that it was time to go out and be on their own. I identify with this in so many ways. Heading of to college was scary and exciting for me. I was not used to being away from my family and had to adapt. Like Appleblossom, I was not fully alone. One of my sisters also attends Michigan State University and lives right across the hall. Like Appleblossom, Amlet, and Anthony, I was not ready to fully separate and go my own way.
     This story really emphasizes family. Even when Mama Possum tells her children it is time for them to be on their own, she is still willing to help when they really need her. Just like me trying to be independent at college, I can always call my mom when I really need her. This important message of family really stood out to me.

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     I also found it cute how the human girl, Izzy, gained a pal. According to her parents, it was supposed to be her dog, Columbo, but she did not feel like he was the best pal. When she found Appleblossom she was very happy, but when that did not work out, Izzy was able to become better pals with Columbo.
     Another part of the story I found funny was the possums perspective on the humans and the dogs. It is comical how Appleblossom tries to understand the dogs obsession with the red ball, but is unable to. In the end though, this obsession is what saves her and her family.
     All in all, it was a cute story that young ones are likely to enjoy.

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Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson
Copyright 2014
337 pages
Genre: Memoir

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     Usually I am not a fan of poetry, but I enjoyed this collection of poetry. I found it interesting how Woodson used many poems together to tell the story of her early life. One thing I did not like though is that it sometimes did not flow as nicely as it would have if was in a normal story format. At the same time, I liked this though because it is reminiscent of actual memories. No one remembers every detail of their life. Sometimes we only remember little snippets of something and if we were to write it down it would probably be choppy bits that did not perfectly flow.
     There were parts of the memoir that I really connected to. In the beginning of the story when her parents divorced, it reminded me of my family situation. It was definitely not as drastic since I did not move to a new state afterward, but the difference of seeing someone daily to hardly at all is strange to go through. I also connected to the story when Woodson talked about how her teachers compared her to her sister. I went through that a lot as a child. Having two older sisters that did very well in school was a lot to live up to. I managed to do well also, but hated when they called me Brianna of Irene (my two sisters' names). "I am not my sister" (pg. 226). This quote stood out to me because I always wanted to remind some of my teachers of this.
     The story was very good, but was still not one of my favorites. I love books that I can't put down and stay up all night reading because I don't even realize all the time passing. That did not happen for me with this book. When I read laying down I got tired and a couple times closed it to nap. It is not because it was bad, it just did not keep me as engaged as some other books I have read.
     All in all this was a fairly good book that I enjoyed reading.

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

By Dan Santat
Copyright 2014
40 pages
Genre: Fantasy

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     Beekle is such a cute little guy. Who wouldn't want him as their imaginary friend?
This book reminded me of happy times as a kid when it was normal to imagine your best friend, instead of it being a real person. What I really liked about this book was that Beekle didn't just sit around and wait for a friend, he went out and found one. He was dedicated and never gave up. A part that I found funny was Beekle and Alice's first encounter. There is always that awkward hand shake or hug situation even with imaginary friends. This is definitely a book that I enjoy and will read time and time again.

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Mango, Abuela, and Me

Written by Meg Medina
Illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Copyright 2015
32 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction

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     This was such a cute story about the growing relationship between a young girl, Mia, and her grandma, Abuela. The story line is something that many can probably relate to. Sometimes it is hard to understand one another, but if we put in the effort we reap great rewards. This does not only apply to language barriers, but to social and age barriers along with others. My favorite thing about the story is that Mia not only taught Abuela English, but put in the effort to learn some Spanish as well. All in all, this was a great book that taught an important lesson.
 
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Locomotive

By Brian Floca
Copyright 2013
64 pages
Genre: Historical Non-fiction

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     The illustrations in this book are wonderful. There is so much color and detail to the beautiful locomotive. The story is also great. It taught me a few things about trains that I did not know, but in a fun and easy way. What I really enjoyed was how the illustrations are not just for show. They compliment the story and help to visualize the work that is put in to running a locomotive. I also liked how the book mentioned specific locations along the way. I recognized the names of a few places and looked up a couple others after reading. I always love seeing things that I recognize in a book. It allows me to connect to what I am reading. All and all I enjoyed reading this book.

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Howl's Moving Castle

Written by Diana Wynne Jones
Copyright 1986
429 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pairing book with movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki
                                         
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     When I first watched the movie a couple years ago, I fell in love. I then decided to read the book because it would probably be just as good or better. I was not wrong. Both were wonderful in their own right.
     There were some differences in the character traits between the book and movie. The main one that stood out to me was the Witch of the Waste. In the book she showed more traits of aggression and power. She tracked down Howl and fought him. In the movie though, she struggles just to get up stairs and is easily diminished into a powerless blob. I definitely preferred the stronger character traits. I always wondered while watching the movie why this supposedly powerful witch was so weak.
     Another character difference between the movie and book is that Wizard Solomon in the movie is a combination of two characters in the book: Mrs. Pentstemmon and Wizard Suliman. There also seem to be more important characters in the book. Sophie has two sisters that she interacts with in the book, but only one in the movie that she hardly interacts with. There are also additions to Howl's family in the book that are not present at all in the movie. These additional characters add to the story in a way I really enjoy. I think they give us more insight into the two main characters: Howl and Sophie.
     The difference in Sophie's character throughout both stories also stands out to me. When she is her normal self and age at the beginning of the story she is very shy and timid. Once the Witch of the Waste turns her into an old woman, she starts to not care as much. She is more confident and has a sort of spunk. She does not care as much because she is not "herself." In the end though, when the spell is broken, she keeps the confidence she gained as an old woman. The growth in her character is very positive.
     The story lines are semi different between the two, which is why I could never say one is better than the other. The book is wonderful and is a great read for fantasy lovers. The movie is also a great one that should be watched.
                                     
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Greenglass House

Written by Kate Milford
Illustrated by Jaime Zollars
Copyright 2014
373 pages
Genre: Mystery

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     A great novel to curl up with on the sofa while drinking some hot chocolate and reading late into the night. The mystery kept me wanting to know what would happen next and who would be responsible. What I really liked was that there were small mysteries throughout that came about and were solved. It was not only one mystery that you had to wait the whole novel to figure out.
     The main character, Milo, was someone that I could relate to. Milo just wanted to fit in, but he stuck out like a sore thumb because he was adopted and looked nothing like his parents. Wanting to fit in is something I, and probably many others, can relate to very well. Even though I am not adopted like him, I also felt like I could relate to Milo because I have once and a while wondered what my life would be like under different circumstances. Like Milo, I felt guilty, like I was doing something wrong and shameful. Throughout the book though, he realized it was okay to think about it once and awhile and to play pretend.
     My favorite relationship throughout the story was the one between Milo and Meddy, a young girl at the Greenglass House. Meddy introduces Milo to a role playing game that allows him to reach out of his comfort zone and helps him overcome the guilt he has for imagining what his life would be like if he were to not have been adopted. Through Negret, Milo's character in this game, he and Sirin, Meddy's character, try to solve the mysteries that arise at the Greenglass House, and together they succeed. How they solve these mysteries together is very imaginative and exciting.
     The way the back-stories of all the tenants of the Greenglass House come together is very interesting. The only thing that bothered me while reading the story is that I sometimes had a hard time remembering who was who. There were a lot of side characters important to the story that often got jumbled in my head.
     All in all this was a great story and a very exciting read!

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Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Written by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by K.G. Campbell
Copyright 2013
231 pages
Genre: Fantasy

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     A squirrel getting sucked up by a vacuum cleaner seems like a strange way to start a story, but that is how this one began. From the beginning of the story, I was sucked into the crazy adventures of Flora and her new friend Ulysses, a squirrel who survived a vacuum cleaner and gained powers of strength, flight, and poetry. The story was cute and quirky in a way that I really enjoyed.
     What really drew me in was the the relationship between the main characters, Flora and Ulysses. It is a bit different from most (other than Ulysses being a super squirrel). Their bond is strong from the moment Flora resuscitates Ulysses after the almost fatal vacuum incident. DiCamillo gives us Ulysses' perspective during parts of the story where his love for Flora is evident through his thoughts and his poetry. We never really get the animal's point of view in a human-pet relationship and just assume our pets love us, but here we see it in Ulysses' own words.

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     A part of the story that I really connected to was the relationship between Flora and her parents. Since I also have divorced parents I was able to relate to this aspect of the story. I also live with my mother and can relate to some of Flora's feelings. Flora's relationship with her mother is a bit rocky. Her mother just wants Flora to be 'normal' and because of this Flora does not feel loved by her mother. Flora even feels like her mother loves a lamp more than Flora and resents the lamp because of this. Their relationship is especially treacherous when Flora's mother kidnaps Ulysses and tries to kill him because she does not want this craziness in her life even though Ulysses is Flora's best friend.
     Flora's relationship with her father is a bit more positive. Since Flora lives with her mother she does not see her father as often, but you can still see parts of his personality in her. Both of them enjoy comics (another thing Flora and her mother argue about- Flora's mother does not consider that proper literature) and Flora had fond memories of them reading it together in the past. Flora's father also has a very different view of Ulysses than Flora's mother. He gets excited with Flora when Ulysses does incredible things.

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     One thing about the story that I did not like was one of the side characters, William Spiver. He is the nephew of Flora's neighbor, the one who vacuumed the squirrel. He has a very strange personality and just says things that seem very philosophical and unnecessary in the novel. He also only goes by his full name, William Spiver, instead of plain William and we find that he takes this very seriously when we learn about his past.
     All in all I found this to be a great book and a good read for many to enjoy!

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