The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book. It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. Family separation death of a parent Violence. Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal Holy unanticipated occurrences A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry - and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. Flora (Matilda Lawler) 10-year-old girl whos obsessed with superheroes and comic books. In Flora, they will find a girl worth knowing, and one they will remember. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is just the right person to step in and save him. In Flora and Ulysses, longtime fans will find a happy marriage of Mercy Watson's warmth and wackiness and Edward Tulane's gentle life lessons. It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. When Flora rescues a squirrel she names Ulysses, she is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers, which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Floras life and her outlook forever. Holy unanticipated occurrences! A cynic meets an unlikely superhero in a genre-breaking new novel by master storyteller Kate DiCamillo. With Matilda Lawler, Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth.