The One and Only Ivan/Katherine Applegate - 5 stars

[JoLene]

This is a wonderful story of Ivan, a silver-backed gorillas who is kept as an attraction at a mall and video arcade. Times are tough for the owner of the mall, but Ivan has resigned himself to his fate of being watched by humans. He finds entertainment in watching TV (where he learns more about the wild than he remembers), having late night discussions with Stella the elephant and Bob the dog as well as learning to paint watching the janitors daughter. It's not until a new baby elephant shows up, that Ivan realizes that life could be more and he takes matters into his own "hands" to try to find his way to better life for him and his companions.

This is a story for middle grader readers, but I think it is enjoyable for adults as well. There are some illustrations which add to the story, but Ivan's simplified thoughts and ramblings are the centerpiece for this story. In only the way a captive gorilla can, he points out some oddities in human behavior --- some of which will probably go over the heads of the intended audience.

[Book Concierge]

I loved Bob, the dog! Just loved this story.

Interestingly enough it came to my attention when a Shelfari group had a challenge to read a book with an elephant on the cover!

[Jenni Elyse]

I'm glad you liked it. I did as well. I did think it was hard to read at times, though. I don't like seeing animals treated poorly in any circumstance.

[JoLene]

Yes --- it was charming, but also had an underlying sadness.