Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Title: Flora & Ulysses

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrated by: K. G. Campbell

Lexile: 520L

Kate DiCamillo has created an excellent hybrid novel interspersed with comic-strip pictures that follows skeptical, cynical protagonist Flora Belle Buckman after a tragic incident that creates a reborn, superpowered squirrel.

Though this would be more a pre-reading activity, students could devise their own stories based around supernatural pets, either pets they have at home or new ones created for the exercise. Before a class read-aloud, students would work independently to brainstorm ideas for a superpowered version of their chosen pet. The post-reading portion of this activity would center on students comparing how their relationships with their respective animals compared to the bond developed between Flora and Ulysses.

Learning Standard:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.6

Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.

Goal: Students will use their own ideas and experiences to connect to the lessons highlighted in the narrative.

Objective (Cognitive): Students will be able to identify and relate their own creations and perspectives with similar ideas and concepts presented in Flora and Ulysses.

Outcome: Students can compare and contrast their specific point-of-view with ideas presented in a text.