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.
The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making.
In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author's note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events.
Editorial Reviews
Review
School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012
Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012
Amazon 2012 Best Books of the Year, Middle Grade
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2012
New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, 2012
Cybils shortlist, 2012 middle grade fantasy (Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards)
Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2013-14 Master List
2012 Nerdies Book Award, middle grade fiction
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews:
"How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage."
Starred Review, School Library Journal:
"The characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have."
Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books:
"Extraordinary."
"Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur. Adults reading this aloud with children will find it just as rewarding."
--Shelf Awareness
"The best book of 2012."
--John Schumacher (Watch. Connect. Read. blogger and 2014 Newbery committee member) and Travis Jonker (School Library Journal blogger, 100 Scope Notes, and 2014 Caldecott committee member)
"Beautifully written, intelligent, and brave book…Quite simply, this story is life-changing."
--Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medalist, Sarah, Plain and Tall
"The One and Only Ivan will break your heart--and then, against all odds, mend it again."
--Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor author of The Wednesday Wars
"Kindness and its ability to change lives shines through on every single page of this book."
--Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath
From the Author
When I started to write about the grim facts of the real Ivan's solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape. At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell.
For more about the book, visit theoneandonlyivan.com.
Product details
- ASIN : 000745533X
- Publisher : Scholastic; First Printing edition (January 1, 2012)
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 9780007455331
- ISBN-13 : 978-0007455331
- Reading age : 8 - 10 years, from customers
- Item Weight : 6.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.76 x 0.64 x 5.12 inches
