The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

 

Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Illustrator: Patricia Castelao

Genre: Fiction, Children's Literature

Major Awards: Newbery

Ages: 9-12 Years old

Summary:

This book is inspired on a true story about a real gorilla named, Ivan who lived in a mall as a spectator for shoppers. In real life, the gorilla never met any other of his kind, before spending his final years in the Atlanta Zoo. Ivan spent twenty seven years behind the glass walls outside a mall. Ivan was captured when he was little, therefore he never thought about his life in the jungle. The mall rarely had any visitors. So Mac, Ivan's trainer, ran a show with Stella the little elephant and other animals too, such as a dog. Stella was the one who would perform daily shows and do all the tricks. However, the people's interest in watching the show animals began to decline, so the animals began to become sad. Ivan has a love for drawing, so Mac sold Ivan's paintings in the gift shop. Later, Stella the elephant gets very ill, and Mac did not want to take the little elephant to the Vet because they do not have enough funds. Stella's leg gets infected. So, Mac brings in another baby elephant, named Ruby, and both elephants gets attached. Soon, Stella the elephant's illness got worst, and she died. Ruby then follows Stella's foot steps, and she becomes the star attraction for the people. It did not last long though. Ivan the gorilla begins to paint again. This time the gorilla painted a drawing that said, home. George, the janitor of the mall and his daughter, Julia were the first ones to notice Ivan's big drawing that said home, and they brought this attention to the public. Ruby and Ivan then gets taken away to the Zoo with the help of George and Ruby. At first, Ivan does not know how to interact with other gorillas, but he becomes happy in the end. So, does the little elephant Ruby.

Book Evaluation: 

1) I would recommend this book to my class because it is inspired by a true story. Many students would be amazed in listening to such a beautiful story as this. I think it is so amazing how art can be a way to communicate with other people, especially coming from a gorilla. This book would be interesting for readers who would see it in the eyes of a noble animal, yet so wild. The book cover really got my attention, and I thought the picture looked so much like the painting from the story Tarzan. 

2) I would recommend this book from Fourth grade all the way to Seventh grade.

3) I would use this book in the unit of Art. I would have the students paint on a paper that demonstrates what they took from this book.