The One and Only Ivan (The One and Only Ivan, #1)

by Katherine Applegate

Humans speak too much. They chatter like chimps, crowding the world with their noise even when they have nothing to say.

“I’m tired,” I say, “but I’m not sleepy.”

“Thing is, people love babies. Baby elephants, baby gorillas, heck, give me a baby alligator and I could make a killing.”

Baby groot, baby yoda, baby niffler.

“Everyone has parents,” Bob explains. “It’s unavoidable.”

“Humans. Rats have bigger hearts. Roaches have kinder souls. Flies have—”

comfort All day I try to comfort Ruby, but what can I say? That Stella had a good and happy life? That she lived as she was meant to live? That she died with those who loved her most nearby? At least the last is true.

Growing up gorilla is just like any other kind of growing up. You make mistakes. You play. You learn. You do it all over again.

But their eyes are like our babies’ eyes. Too big for their faces, and for the world.

It’s not a perfect place.

But it’s the place I need.