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.(Description from http://www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I placed The One and Only Ivan on hold when I read that there was some Newbery buzz around the book (awards will be announced the last weekend in January at the ALA Midwinter meeting). Upon further review, it earned a lot of starred reviews and numerous places on "Best of 2012" lists. The book has been compared to Charlotte's Web, which is a classic and a favorite of mine, so is a must read.
All in all it was a great book, for big kids and little kids alike. As soon as I finished it, I stuck it in our library book bag and raved about it. I will be interesting to see who picks it up first and hopefully it will not spark some kind of battle as everything else seems to these days.
Based on a true story, Ivan is a gorilla who is living a primarily solitary life with a few friends; Stella the elephant, stray dog Bob, and Julia the caretaker's daughter. Ivan's situation is so sad and he is just so sweet. Katherine Applegate really makes you feel Ivan's depression and humility the beginning of the story. It isn't until the arrival of a new elephant named Ruby that challenges Ivan to turn his and her world around. He had made Stella a promise and he intends to keep it. You then feel his determination and finally, happiness.
The book contains many short chapters and choppy writing. But it makes sense in this story. It is a first person narrative from the gorilla's viewpoint. Some people might find this off-putting, but I found it charming. That being said, it probably would make a great read-aloud. Publisher states that book is for ages 8+ with a grade level of 3 and up, but I think younger kids would enjoy it read aloud.
Highly emotional and bittersweet, this book would make a great bedtime story or read-aloud. If you are an animal lover you will love this book. If you have a heart, you will love this book.
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.(Description from http://www.amazon.com)
My thoughts:
I placed The One and Only Ivan on hold when I read that there was some Newbery buzz around the book (awards will be announced the last weekend in January at the ALA Midwinter meeting). Upon further review, it earned a lot of starred reviews and numerous places on "Best of 2012" lists. The book has been compared to Charlotte's Web, which is a classic and a favorite of mine, so is a must read.
All in all it was a great book, for big kids and little kids alike. As soon as I finished it, I stuck it in our library book bag and raved about it. I will be interesting to see who picks it up first and hopefully it will not spark some kind of battle as everything else seems to these days.
Based on a true story, Ivan is a gorilla who is living a primarily solitary life with a few friends; Stella the elephant, stray dog Bob, and Julia the caretaker's daughter. Ivan's situation is so sad and he is just so sweet. Katherine Applegate really makes you feel Ivan's depression and humility the beginning of the story. It isn't until the arrival of a new elephant named Ruby that challenges Ivan to turn his and her world around. He had made Stella a promise and he intends to keep it. You then feel his determination and finally, happiness.
The book contains many short chapters and choppy writing. But it makes sense in this story. It is a first person narrative from the gorilla's viewpoint. Some people might find this off-putting, but I found it charming. That being said, it probably would make a great read-aloud. Publisher states that book is for ages 8+ with a grade level of 3 and up, but I think younger kids would enjoy it read aloud.
Highly emotional and bittersweet, this book would make a great bedtime story or read-aloud. If you are an animal lover you will love this book. If you have a heart, you will love this book.
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