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

by Katherine Applegate

Now a major motion picture available on Disney+!

Inspired by a true story, this is the beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy that will appeal to fans of Michael Morpurgo.

This #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel is coming to the big screen this summer, with a star-studded cast including Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, and more!

Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at the Exit 8 shopping mall. He rarely misses life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly thinks about it at all. But everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realises he must find a new life for them both.

Told from Ivan's perspective, this is a stand-out novel with a pertinent message, ideal for readers of 9+.

• ISBN10: 0062135791
• ISBN13: 9780062135797
• Publish Date: 17 January 2012
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 3 September 2014
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Language: English

Reviews

[writehollydavis]

Based on a true story, this book tugged at my heartstrings! Ivan the Gorilla's POV was so believable. I loved every minute of this.

[sstaley]

Anyone that knows me well knows of my love for animals and gorillas are some of my favorite animals. I've heard of this book and finally had a chance to listen to the Audible version while cleaning, unpacking, and organizing my bedroom. I also had someone tell me I should read this to my class of 2nd graders. Before I do a read-aloud I always read it first on my own. I'm really glad I did. This story reminds me so much of Charlotte's Web that I read each year to my class. The One and Only Ivan seems to kick the sadness aspect up a notch, especially because this novel and the gorilla Ivan is based on the real-life gorilla Ivan who spent 27 years in a small cage in a strip mall.

At this point, I'm still debating whether or not I'll be reading it to my class. I think I'll suggest to the parents of my students to read it together at home with their child. There will be many subjects brought up that would be better discussed at home with 7-8-year-olds.

I do want to say that I LOVED this story! It is told from Ivan's Point of View and he quickly stole this reader's heart. Each of the animals in this story from Ivan, to the elderly elephant Stella, the young baby elephant Ruby, and the gruff stray dog Bob all have such unique personalities. These wonderful animal characters are wrapped up in huge underlying subjects of poaching, animal trafficking, and inhumane living conditions. Even with such adult topics, this story is told so that children can understand the feelings of the animals and the situations they find themselves living in. There is humor in the story and the theme of friendship and sacrifice. This novel does make you think so much about humans and the way we have handled the treatment of animals in the wild and in captivity.

I know I will read this story again. It really touched my heart and I loved learning about the real-life Ivan, who passed away in August of 2012. He was 50 years old. He spent 18 years at the Atlantic Zoo in a wonderful environment with other gorillas. I highly recommend this book as a family read-aloud.

[brokentune]

Review first published on BookLikes: http://brokentune.booklikes.com/post/899198/the-one-and-only-ivan

4.5*

“Memories are precious,” Stella adds. “They help tell us who we are."

This was unexpected. There I was, sitting at work, checking BL updates, minding my own business, when - WHAM! - Martini exercised her Svengali-mind-control tricks. Next thing I know, I'm engrossed in the story of Ivan, the one and only.

Ivan is gorilla who is kept in a circus themed mall. He loves art.

There is not much more I can say without spoiling the story, so I won't.

Except, I cannot remember the last time when a visit to the mall filled me with so much rage, sadness, and just enough hope to keep from despairing over human stupidity.

"Humans.
Sometimes they make chimps look smart."