The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Title: The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Release date: January 17, 2012
Pages: 307

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

The One and Only Ivan is a middle grade novel about Ivan, a silverback gorilla raised as an exhibit in a strip mall.  He's content with his way of life until a baby elephant named Ruby is brought to the mall as a new exhibit.  He makes a promise that he will get Ruby out and to a better life, no matter what it takes.

The One and Only Ivan is aimed at readers between the ages of 9-12.  However, that does not stop it from appealing to people not in that age range.  It can be read by someone much older, such as myself, or possibly even someone younger.

Themes:

• friendship
• belonging
• art
• hope
• humanity
• death

Extra content:

Blog of a Bookaholic's review: "Katherine Applegate has weaved together a haunting, beautiful story, filled with such vibrant, lovable characters that have set themselves a firm place in my heart."

Sweet on Books' review: "The One and Only Ivan has incredible depth."