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What Members Thought
I LOVE IVAN! Funny, sincere, emotional, entertaining, enlightening--I'm telling ya, this book has it all.
Applegate, Katherine, and Patricia Castelao. The One and Only Ivan. New York: Harper, 2012. Print. 305 p.
2013 Newbery Award Winner
“The One and Only Ivan”, though advertised to be ferocious on the Big Top Mall's billboard, is actually a sensitive, insightful gorilla. With a cast of unlikely friends; Bob the dog, Stella the elephant, Ruby the young elephant, and Julia the young girl, Ivan expl ...more
Applegate, Katherine, and Patricia Castelao. The One and Only Ivan. New York: Harper, 2012. Print. 305 p.
2013 Newbery Award Winner
“The One and Only Ivan”, though advertised to be ferocious on the Big Top Mall's billboard, is actually a sensitive, insightful gorilla. With a cast of unlikely friends; Bob the dog, Stella the elephant, Ruby the young elephant, and Julia the young girl, Ivan expl ...more
Beautifully written story based on the true story of a silverback gorilla kept for years as part of a mall sideshow. Can't wait to share it with my fifth graders next year. The writing is spare and beautiful. Will be a great story to use to talk about perspective and how few words a writer needs to create a scene or depict a relationship.
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Read again January 2024 in order to prepare questions for Battle of the Books. I enjoyed the audio book version this time, which was really well done. This was the book that made me fall in love with Applegate's writing and I haven't been disappointed by any of her books yet! It was sweet to revisit Ivan, Stella, Bob, Julia and Ruby. I'm looking forward to reading the next to books in this collection.
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This was really beautiful. Beautiful writing, be ...more
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This was really beautiful. Beautiful writing, be ...more
Other reviewers have summarized this book better than I will. Suffice it to say that Ivan and the various other animal and human characters were expertly described and reflected through Ivan's eyes - so much so that I cannot imagine it being written from third-person, much less anyone else's. Although a little heavy-handed in the message, I don't think the target audience of upper-elementary and middle school students will feel that way, and it may even ignite some interest in research and activ
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I liked it. Simultaneously simplistic and deep, an excellent read aloud for young readers ready to consider how we treat those around us.
Isabelle loved this book and wanted me to read it. It was a good read. I don't usually like books that are from the voice of an animal, but I did like this one. I don't think I will ever look at zoo animals the same.
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A lovely story of friendship and caring.
My students are constantly looking for animal stories and this is a lovely one. Ivan is a gorilla who is also an artist and a darn good friend. I loved Ivan's narration, which was both spare and beautiful. Lots of examples of poetic language and lessons about kindness and friendship. This is a quick read, but one that will touch your heart. I've been recommending it to kids and adults.
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Mar 12, 2013
DeAnn
marked it as to-read
Apr 21, 2016
Kath
marked it as to-read
Feb 16, 2017
Elizabeth
marked it as to-read
Jan 09, 2021
Deborah
added it
