This is a book that gets you right from the first page—not especially surprising, as it begins like a graphic novel would, with full-page illustrations broken into panels. This continues for the next four pages before giving way to the book’s text. The excellent illustrations (left to look like warm pencil drawings) will periodically return throughout Flora & Ulysses, of course, but not before we realize that DiCamillo’s writing is every bit as engaging and immediately satisfying as the images. And that’s when you realize you’re already hooked. Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal. 231 pages.