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The One and Only Ivan (One and Only #1)

The One and Only Ivan
(One and Only #1)

Author

Katherine Applegate

Illustrator

Patricia Castelao

Publication Date

January 17, 2012

Genre / Grade Band

Fiction / 4^th − 5^th

Language

English

Format

Chapter Book

Paperback

Hardcover

Description

Spanish edition also available.

This stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships.

Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.

Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

Winner of the Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller!

Publication date

January 17, 2012

Genre

Fiction

ISBN-13

9780061992254

Lexile Measure

570

Publisher

HarperTorch

Series

One and Only

BISAC categories

Library of Congress categories

Animals
Elephants
Gorilla
Treatment

Kirkus

Starred Review

Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates.

ALA/Booklist

The book’s wide-spaced lines, plentiful white space, and pleasing black-and-white illustrations make this a quicker read than the page count might suggest. Animals fans will enjoy this one.

None

In short chapters that have the look and feel of prose poems, Applegate captures the voice of Ivan, a captive gorilla who lives at the "Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade."

Publishers Weekly

Inspired by a true story, Applegate (Home of the Brave) offers a haunting tale told from the perspective of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who has been confined to a small "domain" of concrete, metal, and glass for 27 years. Joining Ivan at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade are Stella, an aging elephant, and Bob, a feisty stray dog. While other animals perform, Ivan makes art, watches TV, and offers melancholy assessments of their situation. When Ruby, an inquisitive baby elephant, arrives and Stella dies from neglect, her dying wish is for Ivan to help Ruby escape. The brief chapters read like free-verse poetry, the extra line breaks between paragraphs driving home the contrast between Ivan and humans, who in his opinion, "waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot." As is to be expected, there's significant anthropomorphism, but Applegate is largely successful in creating a protagonist who can understand humans yet feels like a gorilla. Although Ivan's role in the events leading to their rescue reads as too human, readers will be left rethinking our relationship to animals. Final art not seen by PW. Agent: Wernick & Pratt Agency. Illustrator's agent: Kidshannon. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 3-7--This tender tale of friendship and hope is narrated by a silverback gorilla living at The Big Top Mall, a shabby, circus-themed roadside attraction. For years, Ivan was passively content. He had his art, unlimited bananas, and his friends: Stella (an elephant), Bob (a stray dog), and Julia (a human child). Ivan's eyes are finally opened to his deplorable surroundings when he loses a friend due to neglect. The last straw is when he witnesses the attraction's owner abusing Ruby, a newly acquired baby elephant. Thus, Ivan is inspired to take action. With some help from his human friends, his dream of a better life for all the Big Top's animals just might come true. The character of Ivan, as explained in an author's note, is inspired by a real gorilla that lived through similar conditions before being adopted by Zoo Atlanta. Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals--especially those living in captivity--and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have.--Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award--winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Castelao's gentle spot-art illustrations, originally printed in black-and-white, are presented in full color, bringing to life with tenderness Ivan; his friends Stella, Ruby, and Bob; and the artwork Ivan creates, which eventually casts a spotlight on his plight. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.--Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

One of my favorite books of all-time

I loved getting to know Ivan, Ruby, Stella, and Bob. This books will break your heart, AND leave you hopeful.

This book was amazing .

The One And Only Ivan was a heart warming book it all ways changed my feeling's too warm , laugh out loud , heart braking , and mad .

this is so sad and fun to read

so cute

this is a good book

awsome!

best book ever movie is awsome you should watch it.

awesome

i love it

This book is sooooooo AMAZING!!!!!!

I love this book and have reread it so many times. It is so inspiring. I love how it is a series now and I want to buy all the books. You need to read it!!!!

I loved this book

I think this book is super well explained by the author. I love the story line and super well explained characters . It is also so heart warming and just a little bit sad but it happy in the end. It is such a good book!

This book was AMAZING

The book was so interesting, sad and happy all at one time. I just couldn't stop reading till the end. I'm so excited to find out what happens next inside The One And Only Bob. Wonderful books and wonderful author too Amazing Work!

This book i luv

This book was really good. It is super fast to read. It is AMAZING! I would read it again and again. Okey, I might be exagerating but honestly it is good! Trust me! READ. IT.

YAY

i love the one and only ivan because ivan is a smart gorilla, bob is a silly dog, and ruby is a cute elephant, but my favorate thing about this book is that its based off of a movie!

Ivan bookreveiw

this book is good I like the character.mostly I love ivan because he one of my favorite animals.ivan is the made character of the book I receckamed reading this book it is really good

The Ivan book

I liked the book for many reasons like it shows friend ships and to not give up its also adventureous.Its a great book in general .Would recommend.

The one and only Ivan book review.

I found this book interesting because of all the important and specific details. When I read this book it never made me bored. I would recommend this book for readers who would like to read this. Awesome book!

Ivan lovers

I thought the one and only Ivan was good and I would recommend it because Ivan was a funny gorilla and was very smart and wise.

IVAN BOOK REVIEW

the reason why I like the one and only Ivan book is because, It gives us information about a gorilla that is held captive at a mall with his friends ruby and max.

this book is and was amazing

I liked that it told us about how much pain animals went through when they got to the super market.Another thing I like about it is that it told us about how gorillas act and play.Last thing I love about it is that most of the people in the story are nice not all just most of them.

Ivan book Review

I think you should read this book because, the book talks in first people and the people Ivan talk about he's feeling.

The iven

The book was a good book it had good detail in the book the toing about the kortrs was sopr good.

Pretty Good.

I like the book because, They worked together and That Ivan can draw paintings, and the fact that he is friends with an elephant is what makes it so good.

This book was amazing

I think the one and only Ivan book was good

One and only

Ivan is a Male Gorilla he has been stuck behind glass for 27 years. With Stella an elefant, Bob a dog. Until he meets ruby an infant elefant.Brought from the wild . Where he has to make a hard decision. THIS IS WHY I RECOMEND THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN.

This book was very good!

This book is amazing! I love how they put it in Ivan point of view.That really helps me understand what he means and helps me understand his feelings.Also I liked how he cared for other people even if he was feeling sad about something.Another thing I liked was how he cared for ruby and Stella and tried to give them a better life.And also he would talk about how he wasn't like the protector of the family.I would definitely recommend this for people who love to hear about how animals feel.

The amazing Ivan

The one and only Ivan is awesome I love the detail the art and how they solve the problem. and how I like Ivan growth and Ivan is really smart and he can talk and understand what humans are saying. I just love fantasy and creativity.

Ivan the book

I thought the book was nice and I liked how they showed Ivan's point of view of the story instead of telling it like a bedtime story.

This book is awesome

I recommend to read this book!! It gives a story about what a gorilla feelings. They also give information on how probably the gorilla felt in first person about how he probably felt etc. It also shows how he gets out of the mall and he gets to know new friends like Bob the dog and Stella the elephant. It is a really good story on knowing the life of a gorilla and how it demonstrates how intelligent a gorilla is.

amazing book

I highly recommend this book It has the Best series' I like about it. is that IVAN can talk to people'the illustrator has done a lot of amazing Books

This is one of the best books I have ever read!

What I think about this book is that it is so good!Sorry to seem like I'm exaggerating but it actually is!You should definitely read this book because it talks about a gorilla and your read from the gorilla's point of view.And it talks about how Ivan is not like the other gorillas brave strong etc.Anyways I like how Ivan is kind gentle and very caring he took care of ruby and tried to give her a better home!I have reread this book many times it's always so good.I would recommend this to people who are kind and gentle.