Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Content Ratings

No Romance

There is no romantic content; Flora's relationships are based on friendship with the squirrel and a neighbor boy, and her complicated relationship with her parents.

Mild Themes

Flora's parents are divorced and her mother is self-absorbed and neglectful; Flora is emotionally isolated and uses cynicism as armor; themes of loneliness, healing, and finding unexpected connection are central; the tone is quirky, funny, and ultimately warm.

Mild Violence

Ulysses is vacuumed up (and survives); Flora's mother attempts to get rid of Ulysses, including trying to hit him with a shovel; the violence is comic within the absurdist tone but has real stakes for Flora.

Synopsis

Ten-year-old cynic Flora Belle Buckman witnesses a squirrel being vacuumed up by a Ulysses 2000X vacuum cleaner, and after his resurrection, discovers he has developed superpowers including flight, super strength, and the ability to type poetry. A Newbery Medal winner that is hilarious, heartfelt, and beautifully illustrated. A story about loneliness, divorce, and the unexpected ways we are saved.