Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Reach for this book when your child seems to be retreating into a shell of cynicism or 'reality' to cope with family changes like a divorce. Flora Belle Buckman calls herself a natural-born cynic to protect her heart from her parents' separation and her mother's seeming preoccupation with her own career. When she rescues a squirrel from a tragic vacuum cleaner accident, she finds an unexpected outlet for her untapped hope and affection. This is an exquisitely written, quirky tale that uses a touch of superhero magic to address very real feelings of invisibility and the need for belonging. It is perfect for children ages 8 to 12 who appreciate dry humor and need to see that it is okay to 'hope for the best and prepare for the worst' while still letting people in.