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The One and Only Ivan Paperback – January 6, 2015

by Katherine Applegate (Author), Patricia Castelao (Illustrator)

2,188 customer reviews

in Children's Ape & Monkey Books

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Winner of the Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller!

This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. This paperback edition includes an author's note highlighting the differences between the fictional story and true events, a version of the author's Newbery Medal acceptance speech, Ivan's "signature," discussion questions, and more.

Having spent twenty-seven 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.

In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope.

The One and Only Ivan features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).

The One and Only Ivan

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Castelao's gentle spot-art illustrations, originally printed in black-and-white, are presented in full color, bringing to life with tenderness Ivan; his friends Stella, Ruby, and Bob; and the artwork Ivan creates, which eventually casts a spotlight on his plight. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal

2012 Christopher Medal

Gold Medal in Juvenile LIterature, 2012 California Book Award

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 2013 Crystal Kite Award Winner

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#1 New York Times bestseller

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

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Product details

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Lexile Measure: 570 (What's this?)

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (January 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061992275
ISBN-13: 978-0061992278
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2,188 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Apes & Monkeys
- #2 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Zoos
- #26 in Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Friendship, Social Skills & School Life > Friendship

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Customer Reviews

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Top Customer Reviews

A 'Stop Time' Moment of Seeping Innocence

ByLisa Redfernon May 6, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

When my 11-year-old finished reading this novel, his first statement was, “I LOVED that book!” With an endorsement like that and because it was the first instance where he ‘stopped time,’ I had to read the book too.

A copy of the author’s Newbery Medal acceptance speech is at the back of my copy of The One and Only Ivan. In it, the author says,” We live in a world where children are bullied into despair and even suicide; where armed guards in a school hallway are considered desirable; where libraries are padlocked because of budget cuts; where breakfast and backpacks, for too many children are unaffordable luxuries.”

“What makes children better than the rest of us is that they are buoyant, unrepentant optimists.”

As a writer, reader, and lover of words, I make it a habit to ‘stop time’ whenever I come across sparkling phrases that deserve homage. A ‘stop time’ is where we stop whatever we are doing to read out loud and to listen; we listen to both the author’s words and to what made that phrase so meaningful to the reader.

Although my son and I read the same book, our reactions to it were as different as a carefree stroll through the park and being caught in a traffic snarl in the city at rush hour. Where my son delighted in the animal conversations, I sobbed.

Pixar uses humor with double meaning brilliantly in their storytelling. Katherine Applegate uses the same technique, but in a more realistic vein.
I sobbed because the adult world my son will live in doesn’t have easy answers. It isn’t colorful, silly, and happy all the time. The innocence of his childhood is beginning to seep away.

While Ivan and Ruby soothe each other and tell stories to help them sleep, the author communicates the ache of loneliness, coping skills, feeling boxed in, and the power that is found when helping a friend…or your own child.

The first ‘stop time’ that my son called happened when Ivan makes an impossible promise to Ruby, the baby elephant.
I’ve been waiting and watching for this moment. A maturity level that notices deeper concepts. An opportunity to share family ideals and values. An easing into the world of adulthood – or at least into the turbulent teens.

“Children know all about sadness,” comments Applegate in her speech. “We can’t hide it from them. We can only teach them how to cope with its inevitably and to harness their imaginations in search for joy and wonder.”

0Comment 36 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

this book is great! I am on page 150

ByMicheleon November 28, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

First, my daughter is a reluctant reader. I am not sure she has ever completely read a novel from front to back in her life. She was required to read a book for a book report in school. I told her to read 50 pages each day; on the second day, she came out of her room after an hour to get a drink and said, "Mom, this book is great! I am on page 150!" After another hour, she came out with a huge smile on her face and said it was the best story she has ever read! As an avid reader myself, I have never understood why she hates to read. Now I know she has just never read the RIGHT book to get her hooked!

In addition, I am a 5th grade teacher. In my school, we have daily Book Clubs. I have been reading The One and Only Ivan with my students for 3 years and their reactions are exactly like my daughter's. Katherine Applegate is an amazing author! I love how Ivan, the gorilla, is the narrator; this gives the reader a great inside look into his thoughts and feelings. You easily fall in love with each of the characters and build compassion for each one. I highly recommend this book for any elementary student!

0Comment 35 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I would only recommend this book to those with at least junior high-level ...

ByTinaon June 3, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

After reading Wonder by RJ Palacio, The One & Only Ivan came up on my suggested reading list. I absolutely adored Wonder (reading it in 1 day) so I immediately decided to buy TO&OI thinking it would catch my attention just as well.
I was initially intimidated by the length of the book, but some of the pages/chapters are very short and the storyline is very straight-forward. However, there are several depressing & heartbreaking scenes that I personally find too overwhelming for younger children. I would only recommend this book to those with at least junior high-level reading and social skills.

0Comment 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I didn't like the book

ByAnne E Hendleron April 28, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Initially, I didn't like the book. I didn't like the message it seemed to be hiding about zoos, wildlife, and caged animals. But then I talked to a member of its intended audience - an 11 year old student at an international school in Singapore who I met with his dad in a hostel in Malaysia - and he told me how he understood the book. The story for him was of unlikely friendships and change as we get older, of the parallels between the life of a human and that of an ape. I finally found myself wondering who was really in the cage and who, in the end, was free.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Beautiful, meaningful, simple, sweet, thought-provoking - PERFECT!

ByIsabellaon August 7, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Oh, what a wonderful book! I've spent all summer reading books that were *highly* recommended, only to be absolutely disappointed. This book, however, does NOT disappoint! It is absolutely beautiful. It's a very quick, easy read, but has quite a lot of depth and meaning, along with gorgeous imagery and subtle humor. I began reading it late one night, when I planned on only reading for about 15 minutes, but ended up reading the entire book that same night. I simply couldn't put it down!
It has a couple of very sad moments to which I would not want to expose my preschooler, but I am so excited about using it as a read-aloud for my slightly older child.

PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book! If there is only ONE book you read this year, make it this one :)

0Comment 16 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

If you liked Charlotet's Web, you'll love this story!

ByKansas Maryon May 1, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I bought this book for my grandson for his upcoming 11th birthday. I always read any book I get my grandkids before giving it to them. I WANT to know what they will be reading and if it's appropriate for them. This story is told by Ivan, who is also a gorilla. The illustrations are wonderful and go well with the story. While this is a work of fiction, it is based on a real gorilla named Ivan, who had lived for 27 years in a glass cage inside a mall near Tacoma, Washington. The real Ivan was released and taken to live at the Zoo Atlanta thanks to a fund raising effort to buy him and public outcry for him to be released to a zoo. The real Ivan lived for another 23 years at the Atlanta zoo and was 50 when he died. This is old for a Gorilla in captivity. The book is about Ivan's captivity in the mall, and his compassion for two elephants and a stray dog. I recommend it for readers of all ages, especially age 9 and above.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Out standing

It keeps me reading
Never is boring
Awesome
Can we just keep you waiting it makes you not want to stop.

Published 6 hours ago by Jessica Lemoine

The best book

People that are intrested in animals should read this becuase its all about animals and at the end its very happy

Published 9 hours ago by Rob

What a wonderful story that is very well written

What a wonderful story that is very well written. Yes, you will cry but you will be happy that you read the story. Take the time to learn about the real Ivan too.

Published 14 hours ago by Audra Williams

Awesome!!

This book is great!! I love the animals and how the communicate. The only thing I don't like is Mack. Because he's mean.

Published 3 days ago by Kindle Customer

Great read!

My daughter loved this book!

Published 4 days ago by R.K.

Observant story

I enjoyed reading the reflections of a silverback. That reads weird as I know the reflections are of the writer imagining what a silverback is thinking.Read more

Published 5 days ago by Online Shopping Nurse

A story of friendship, sacrifice, and promises.

My 8 year old son and I read this together. We have not read another story like this. We loved the characters and anxiously hoped for a happy ending.

Published 5 days ago by Michele

Wow what a beautiful and fun and interesting and entertaining and wonderful book I love the way it is fun to read

What a beautiful book you feel free so so wonderful and exciting you will love this book what a wonderful book

Published 15 days ago by Stephen

It touched my heart, a must read

A meaning full story. Makes me cry every time. Kate Dicamillo's best book yet. Anyone could fall in love with Ivan and his friends.Read more

Published 16 days ago by Seth Cichanski

Awesome book!

At first, when I started reading I was not satisfied at all. But when I started to get in the middle of the book I started to get interested in it.The One and Only Ivan Read more

Published 16 days ago by Kindle Customer

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