What’s in a name? This book includes funny names, literary names, rhyming names, and superhero names. Which character do you think has the most fun-sounding name? What, if anything, can a name tell us about a character?
The Illuminated Adventures of the Amazing Incandesto! is Flora’s favorite comic book. It includes special bonus comics at the back of each issue including Terrible Things Can Happen to You! and The Criminal Element Is Among Us. Throughout the story, Flora refers to many of the life skills and themes that appear in her comics. One lesson is CPR. One theme is that “impossible things happened all the time” (page 21). What other things does Flora learn from her comics? Name some of your favorite sayings or lessons from her comic books.
Let’s talk about superheroes. What makes Ulysses a superhero? Are there special requirements for being a superhero? Are there special things that all superheroes seem to have?
Flora describes herself as “a natural-born cynic” (page 6). What do you think that means? Dr. Meescham says that “Cynics are people who are afraid to believe” (page 129). Do you agree with her description? What things does Flora do that show she is a cynic? What things show that Flora is not a cynic?
The graphic-novel interludes show Ulysses flying at the Giant Do-Nut (pages 103–104), his vanquishing of Mr. Klaus the cat (pages 132–133), his cheering up Flora and proving his superpowers (page 153), and his escape from Flora’s mother (pages 202–203). Does Ulysses believe he can fly when he first tries to? What details about his flying are captured in the pictures?
How does Dr. Meescham support Flora, Ulysses, and Mr. Buckman? What do Dr. Meescham’s stories tell you about her?
What is the funniest scene in the book for you? Describe it.
On page 135, we hear the promise “I will always turn back toward you.” It is repeated many times throughout the story. What do you think it means?
Describe the relationship between Flora and William Spiver. In what ways are they the same? In what ways are they different?
Flora and Ulysses are both lost and trying to find home. Where do they end up? How does each one figure out how to get home?
On page 216, a miracle is said to occur and William Spiver is able to see again. What do you think happens?
Imagine this story told only as a comic book. How do you think it would be different?
There are many quirky characters in the story. Whom do you like best and why?
Throughout the story, Flora and her mother are at odds. How does this change in the end? What do we learn about Flora’s mother that we didn’t know?
What would you like to see happen next for Ulysses and Flora?
We will be reading The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich.
| "Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847." -summary We will be meeting on Wednesday, March 8 in order to discuss this book. Please pick up your copy and be sure to register at the Circulation Desk. |
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