Description The 2014 Newbery Medal Winner — A New Novel by DiCamillo, Author of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane "If you believe in miracles, there will be more beautiful things in the world." Newbery Medal–winning author DiCamillo is a master storyteller. Her greatest gift is her ability to reveal truths that open and heal the human heart. She believes in possibility and forgiveness — and she teaches us the power of love. —Booklist An irresistibly lovable superhero and a not-quite-as-cynical-as-she-thinks girl create a genuine, deeply moving, and funny story. —Kirkus Reviews At the heart of this story about two children who have each lost the most important person in their lives lies real, authentic emotion. —Publishers Weekly Though it unfolds like an action movie starring a squirrel, the story lingers with a gentle, hopeful heart. It is a quiet, philosophical work of literature. —School Library Journal The Superpowered Squirrel Ulysses, the new novel by Kate DiCamillo — author of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane — and winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal, has been published by Biryongso. DiCamillo previously won the 2004 Newbery Medal for The Tale of Despereaux, a 2001 Newbery Honor for Because of Winn-Dixie, and the 2006 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, establishing herself as one of the leading voices in English-language children's literature today. The great strength of DiCamillo's work lies in her warm storytelling, which touches the hearts of readers of all generations. Whether it's the journey of a cold-hearted toy rabbit who only knew how to be loved but not how to love (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane), the adventure of a brave little mouse knight born with a name meaning "despair" (The Tale of Despereaux), or the story of forgiveness and miracles that bloom in people's hearts after an elephant suddenly falls from the sky (The Magician's Elephant) — her books blend the joy of fantasy and fable with philosophical dialogue and a warm voice that lingers long after the last page. Proving her powerful connection with readers, DiCamillo was named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature earlier this year and has been actively promoting a love of reading throughout the United States. Her newest work, The Superpowered Squirrel Ulysses, follows the adventures of Flora, a naturally cynical girl who thinks love stories are silly, and Ulysses, an ordinary neighborhood squirrel who suddenly gains superpowers overnight. DiCamillo has said the idea for the story came to her after she once found a squirrel lying dead in front of her house and began to wonder: "What if that squirrel hadn't died?" and "What if someone had rescued it?" The novel is rich with the same thoughtful reflection on love, miracles, and other deeply human themes that have defined DiCamillo's earlier work, all woven into a wonderfully solid story. The illustrations are by rising American illustrator K.G. Campbell. His expressive pen drawings, full of movement and emotion, along with occasional comic-style panels, bring Flora and Ulysses's adventures vividly to life. This book stands out among DiCamillo's works for its especially bright and playful humor. p.10 That's how it all began. Because of a vacuum cleaner. Really. ▶ The Brilliant Adventure of Ulysses, the World's Greatest Hero, and Flora, the World's Greatest Cynic Flora's next-door neighbor, Mr. Tickham, gives Mrs. Tootie a surprise birthday present: an incredibly powerful indoor-outdoor vacuum cleaner called the Ulysses 2000X. The vacuum is so powerful that it sucks up not only the book Mrs. Tootie was reading and the biscuit she was eating, but also goes rogue and heads out into the garden — where it accidentally swallows a squirrel. Meanwhile, Flora, a self-proclaimed cynic who spends her time reading comic books and caring little for the world or her own feelings, witnesses the whole scene. Thinking of her favorite comic-book superhero, Incandesto, she gives the squirrel CPR and manages to save its life. The newly revived squirrel then...