One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate --> Starting 27th April

[Maddie]

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

[[deleted user]]

So excited this counts.

[Maddie]

Yeah me too! post your updates and I'll update soon! I've finished

[Shae]

23% (view spoiler)[ I am loving this book! It is so cute. I love how Ivan talks about all the other animals and how he views things in the world. He is so clever be can draw. I thought it was really powerful when he said how humans talk too much and we are like chimps. Just stringing words together for the sake of it. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

32% (view spoiler)[ Ruby to Ivan, “have you ever driven a truck” hahaha!!! It was interesting how Ivan was able to reflect on himself doing similiar things to his dad when he was little. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

48% (view spoiler)[ ohhhh no! Stellar! Sooo sad. And his promise to give ruby a better life. I hope it comes true. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

60% (view spoiler)[ he remembers them cutting off his parents heads :O my gosh how sad!!! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Shae wrote: "23% [spoilers removed]"

lol... yep he is right on that one... we do talk to much...

[[deleted user]]

Shae wrote: "32% [spoilers removed]"

I think Ruby sees Ivan as someone that can do anything!!

[[deleted user]]

Shae wrote: "48% [spoilers removed]"

I know I think I almost cried when that happened... but at least he will be able to keep his promise, or at least try.

[[deleted user]]

Shae wrote: "60% [spoilers removed]"

Not just that... he can see what they are doing with them at the mall (view spoiler)[ using the hands as ashtrays... sick! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

25.0% (view spoiler)[ A new arrival.. I feel so bad for Stella something bad is already happening to her foot and with the new arrival it means she is being replaced. I like Ivan and his pictures. I also like a Julia she is nice to Ivan. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

50.0% (view spoiler)[ I like that Julia is introducing Ivan to finger painting... I knew that Ruby was not an orphan but she was captured and put in a cage and shipped to the mall just for amusement. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

72.0% (view spoiler)[ Yeay people are picketing for ruby and Ivan. I can’t wait. I don’t really like Mack. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

91.0% (view spoiler)[ I love Maya she is showing Ivan a video of Ruby and how she is doing. Go Ruby!! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished... Ha BoB... he is funny! (view spoiler)[ I'm keeping the mother company so he is helping them... (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "23% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I can just picture his little drawings all wobbly and not really making sense XD

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "32% [spoilers removed]"

Ruby is the cutest :D

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "48% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I was almost crying :(

[Maddie]

Cinthia wrote: "25.0% [spoilers removed]"

I can't believe (view spoiler)[Mac didn't even want to call in the vet because it cost too much :( (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Cinthia wrote: "50.0% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah haha a good substitute for mud!

[Maddie]

Cinthia wrote: "72.0% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I'm so glad that Ivan's (view spoiler)[poster went well! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Cinthia wrote: "Finished... Ha BoB... he is funny! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Oh yes good old Bob :p (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm all done too :D