The One and Only Ivan

First sentence: I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It's not as easy as it looks.

ETA: I read this one initially in 2012 (see below review). I reread it in January 2023. I don't know that I could improve upon my initial review. Everything I said in the review below, I stand by. My love for this novel hasn't faded with time.

Want to read one of the best, best books of the year? May I suggest Katherine Applegate's verse novel, The One and Only Ivan. I can't promise that every reader will come to LOVE Ivan, Ruby, Stella, Bob, Julia, and George, but you might end up loving them just as much as I did. (Ivan is a gorilla; Ruby and Stella are elephants; Bob is a dog; George and Julia are two of the most sympathetic human characters in the novel.)

So show more what is it about? It's about a small group of animals on display at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Ivan, the gorilla, is an artist whose works sell in the gift shop. He's been captive almost thirty years. Stella is one of his dearest friends, she's an elephant who knows quite a few tricks. She's a great storyteller, but, many of her stories are bittersweet. She's had a hard life to have such a great memory. Bob, the stray dog, is Ivan's other best friend, he's not really on display--not wild enough, not talented enough--but to Ivan, well, he's the best dog in the world. One day, Mack, the owner, brings someone new: a baby elephant named Ruby. Her arrival changes EVERYTHING for Ivan. For at long last, he has someone to protect.

Within pages, I was hooked. Here is the second poem:

names

People call me the Freeway Gorilla. The Ape at Exit 8. The One and Only Ivan, Mighty Silverback.

The names are mine, but they're not me. I am Ivan, just Ivan, only Ivan.

Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.

Everyone knows the peels are the best part.

I suppose you think gorillas can't understand you. Of course, you also probably think we can't walk upright.

Try knuckle walking for an hour. You tell me: Which way is more fun?

The narrative voice is so strong, so rich, so observant, so right. Here are just a few examples:

Humans speak too much. They chatter like chimps, crowding the world with their noise even when they have nothing to say. (3)

Anger is precious. A silverback uses anger to maintain order and warn his troop of danger. When my father beat his chest, it was to say, Beware, listen, I am in charge. I am angry to protect you, because that is what I was born to do. Here in my domain, there is no one to protect. (10)

It was Julia who gave me my first crayon, a stubby blue one, slipped through the broken spot in my glass along with a folded piece of paper. I knew what to do with it. I'd watched Julia draw. When I dragged the crayon across the paper, it left a trail in its wake like a slithering blue snake. (16)

Humans don't always seem to recognize what I've drawn. They squint, cock their heads, murmur. I'll draw a banana, a perfectly lovely banana, and they'll say, "It's a yellow airplane!" or "It's a duck without wings!" That's all right. I'm not drawing for them. I'm drawing for me. (17)

My visitors are often surprised when they see the TV Mack put in my domain. They seem to find it odd, the sight of a gorilla staring at tiny humans in a box. Sometimes I wonder, though: Isn't the way they stare at me, sitting in my tiny box, just as strange? (23)

Bob's tail makes me dizzy and confused. It has meanings within meanings, like human words. "I am sad," it says. "I am happy." It says, "Beware! I may be tiny, but my teeth are sharp." Gorillas don't have any use for tails. Our feelings are uncomplicated. Our rumps are unadorned. (35)

Homework, I have discovered, involves a sharp pencil and thick books and long sighs. (44)

But hunger, like food, comes in many shapes and colors. At night, lying alone in my Pooh pajamas, I felt hungry for the skilled touch of a grooming friend, for the cheerful grunts of a play fight, for the easy safety of my nearby troop, foraging through shadows. (133)

It's an odd story to remember, I have to admit. My story has a strange shape: a stunted beginning, an endless middle. (144)

The One and Only Ivan is definitely an EMOTIONAL read. It's a book about how humans treat or mistreat animals. It tells the story of several animals: Stella, Ivan, Ruby, etc. In some cases relating how they got to their current "domain" (cage, or prison). For the most sensitive reader, it may prove a little too much in a few poems. Overall, I think it's a great read. Powerful, compelling, beautifully written.

Read The One and Only Ivan

If you love E.B. White's Charlotte's Web
If you love Kathi Appelt's The Underneath
If you love animal stories
If you love gorillas, elephants, dogs
If you love GREAT writing show less

This has to be one of my favorite novels that I've read in a long time. Ivan is a gentle soul and I felt immediately invested in the story. He's a gorilla that has been trapped in a cage at the Big Top Mall his entire life. He's cared for, but obviously not in the way that he should be. I feared that he would end up never leaving his cage. This poor animal was not allowed to communicate with other gorillas and he remembered his childhood before he was captured, which made this novel hard to read at times because I felt so much empathy for him.

I was happy when a young elephant, Ruby, arrives and Ivan starts to see that living in a cage may not be what's best for him and little Ruby. You can see the sudden shift in how he feels and it is show more this depth of character that made me enjoy reading this novel. It makes the reader think that maybe an animal feeling trapped is exactly the way Ivan describes it and that we should do something to stop animals from being mistreated.

This book is a wonderful book club selection and highly recommend it to anyone of any age, especially since it won the Newbery and it's based on a true story. show less

Based upon a true story, this poignant children's novel relates the experiences of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who had lived for twenty-seven years in a small cage, as an attraction at a shopping mall. Taken from his home in Africa as a youngster, Ivan had been raised for a time as a child substitute by a human couple, until he grew too difficult to handle, and wound up at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Here, in the company of his friends Bob, a stray dog who called the mall home, and Stella, an elephant who was a prisoner like himself, he had grown used to a life in captivity. Then the mall owner (and Ivan's erstwhile human 'father') brought in a new animal, in the form of baby elephant Ruby, and everything began to change. show more Confronted with a young animal who was not at all used to captivity, Ivan suddenly saw his circumstances in a new light. When Stella died, leaving Ruby truly exposed and in danger Ivan knew he had to do something...

My older sister, who is (unlike me) not a children's book aficionado, and who is not the sentimental sort to cry at the drop of a hat, happened to read this before I did, and informed me, a few years ago, that it had made her sob like a baby. I have been ducking reading The One and Only Ivan ever since, despite finding the story idea interesting, and I might still be procrastinating, if the recent Disney film based upon it hadn't given me the impetus to finally pick it up. It is a general rule with me, that if a book has been made into a film or television show, and it is something I might conceivably read in my lifetime, I must read it before watching the film. I'm glad that I finally did do so, and while I didn't have as strong a reaction as my sister, I found it a powerful, thought-provoking read. The best animal fiction can convince you that you are genuinely seeing the world through the eyes of another species, rather than through a human in animal skin, as it were, and Katherine Applegate's book does just that, offering a convincing snapshot of what a gorilla might think and feel, in Ivan's shoes. Such fiction also offers up a mirror to the human condition, and I appreciated the fact that Applegate avoided making any of her humans villains, even if some, like Mack, were deeply flawed and did bad things.

The One and Only Ivan was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2013, and it is indeed a beautifully-written book, with passages that stopped me in my tracks. When Ivan reflects that "anger is precious," something that requires energy, and is not to be wasted on everyday matters, it struck an answering chord with me. When he muses on the expressive nature of dogs' tails, which have "meanings within meanings, like human words," I smiled in recognition. And when he states that although human babies are ugly, "their eyes are like our babies' eyes. Too big for their faces, and for the world," I felt that shiver of recognition that comes, when gazing into the face of a stranger and suddenly feeling a sense of connection. I have seen this described as a novel in verse, but while the text is very sparse, with short, one or two-sentence paragraphs (if they can be called that), I did not read it that way. However one interprets the form, it is a lovely book, one which will have young readers thinking about how we humans treat our animal counterparts, and about what those animals, both wild and domesticated, need from us. show less

“The Ape at Exit 8” is Ivan, a mighty Silverback Gorilla, who lives in a circus-themed shopping mall. Based on a true story, but told in Ivan’s own voice using simple language and short chapters, this is a story about friendship, compassion for animals, the promises we make, and the things we will do to help someone in need.

Ivan barely remembers his life before the mall. It’s no wonder; Ivan has kept track of the days since he arrived, and he’s at 9,855 days to date. That’s over 27 years. He barely remembers his twin sister, Tag (appropriately named for her favorite game to play with Ivan). He barely remembers what it’s like to feel the touch of another gorilla, to be comforted by his family, or to feel the earth under show more his feet (rather than the cold cement that is his home now). But life isn’t so bad for Ivan, or so he has convinced himself. He has some wonderful friends: there’s Stella, the stoic elephant twice his size; there’s Bob, the homeless-by-choice dog who sneaks into the mall every night and sleeps on Ivan’s big belly; and there’s Julia, the human daughter of George the custodian, who does her homework by Ivan’s domain every evening, and who shares a love of art with him. Yes, that’s right: Ivan is an artist.

Before he was captured and brought to the US, Ivan’s name was Mud. His parents chose his name because he loved to draw and used mud as his medium. In the shopping mall, Mack, the owner of the menagerie, provides Ivan with crayons and paper, but not simply in the name of art; Mack sells Ivan’s drawings in the gift shop for $20 each ($25 framed, Ivan points out). Julia and Ivan share a beautiful connection, and in the beginning, it is Julia who realizes that Ivan is using his art to communicate with her. In the end, it is Ivan’s art that will save his life, and the lives of his friends at the mall.

When a new baby elephant named Ruby arrives to live with Stella, Ivan knows that Stella is dying due to a foot injury that was not properly tended to. Stella is unable to perform, and attendance has slowed at the shows. In an attempt to bring more folks in, Mack has bought Ruby. Once Stella meets her, she lovingly acts as Ruby’s mother, and guides her through the fear and confusion caused by her new “home.” Just before Stella dies, she asks Ivan to make a promise: he will find a way to rescue Ruby and make sure she does not die in the shopping mall.

It does not take Ivan long to devise his plan; he will use his art to tell Julia that the animals need a different home; they need to be in a proper zoo, with space and sunlight and others of their kind. After a few false starts, Julia finally understands, and she and her father take action to bring attention to the conditions at the mall. Once the general public realizes the gravity of the situation, officials are brought in, the mall zoo is shut down, and the animals are relocated to the local zoo. At first, the animals are all terrified of the change, and sad to say goodbye, despite the fact that they all know the change is for the best. But Julia finds a way to make sure that everyone keeps in touch, and while things will never be the same, Ivan, Ruby, Bob and Julia know that they are each happy, healthy, and loved for the rest of their lives.

This is a moving, and ultimately joyful, story, and will be appreciated by anyone who loves animals. The wonderful characters (both animal and human), the lesson of compassion for animals, and the message that one being can affect momentous change combine to make this a perfect book for any age. It is a wonderful read-aloud for younger children, a perfect transitional book for newly independent readers, and simply a great feel-good story for stronger readers. Highly recommend!

Reviewed by KSD

I support independent bookstores. Here's a link to find one near you or to order THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN via IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006... show less

Worth the Newbery Medal it won. I had minor quibbles with some of the knowledge Ivan held about the outer world...how would he know how much weight in food a gorilla needs to eat, or how logs drift in a river, or that lakes look bottomless? Mainly though, it's a compassionate and heartbreaking book about the treatment of animals. Hearing it through the voices of Ivan and his friends will give young readers empathy for living things and the predicaments they face. The ending is happy, if conveniently feel-good, but hey, it's a book for kids and they deserve happy, hopeful endings.

The One and Only Ivan is a middle-grade children’s book that’s inspired by a true story and the first in Katherine Applegate’s Ivan & Friends series. It’s tells the story of a silverback gorilla named Ivan who was taken from his jungle home as a baby. He was raised by Mack who owns the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where Ivan eventually became one of the main attractions. He’s lived there within the glass walls of his domain for many years, observing people coming and going, watching TV, and making art, which he loves the most. His best friends are Stella the elephant, who performs in the circus show, and Bob, a stray dog who hides out in Ivan’s domain. Ivan rarely thinks about his life before coming to the mall and show more he thinks he’s generally content, but that’s before a baby elephant named Ruby arrives. Little Ruby is still young enough to remember life in the wild and misses it terribly, so an ill Stella makes Ivan promise to help Ruby by finding a way to improve their lot in life. Ivan knows he must keep his promise to his old friend, but he isn’t sure how to do that until an artistic inspiration comes to him that will change everything for all of them.

Ivan is the first-person narrator of the book and he’s a fun and compelling character. Despite being locked up in a cage inside for most of his life, he has oddly fond memories of being a baby in Mack’s care. However, that doesn’t mean that Mack is a good person. In fact, he neglects poor Stella, leading to tragedy, and arguably anyone who keeps animals in too-small enclosures, uses painful training implements, and exploits them for money has questionable ethics, although sometimes he comes off as a man who has simply lost his way. In any case, Ivan doesn’t have bad feelings toward his owner and rarely thinks of his life before coming to the mall. But when Ruby shows up she makes him start remembering. That’s when he knows things must change. Ivan loves creating art, something he shares in common with Julia, the little girl who comes to the mall every night with her dad who is the janitor. The two bond over the pictures they create, and eventually Ivan comes up with an idea that, if successful, might help all of them find a new life. All of the characters are so sweet and wonderful. Ivan is a great friend, and although the task of getting them out of their present circumstances seems insurmountable, he doesn’t give up. Bob is right by his side, offering up encouragement and a sunny outlook in spite of his own lot in life. Ruby is cute and curious like any human kid would be, as well as a little scared of her new living arrangement. Julia is a compassionate soul who loves all the animals and wants to help, and she sees the true beauty in Ivan’s art when everyone else only sees blobs. Her father, George, is a bit harried, trying to make a living for his little family, but he, too, harbors empathy for the animals and wants what’s best for them. It was an all-around great cast of characters.

The One and Only Ivan is written in spare language with extremely short chapters, but somehow the author manages to express a wealth of meaning in very few words. She creates a bond, both between her characters, and between the characters and the reader that is palpable and unmistakable. I really felt for them and was rooting for a happy ending for all of them. Ivan is smart enough to have learned about human nature and to figure out a way to help his little friend, Ruby, yet he exhibits vulnerability, in his uncertainty over whether his plan will work. He’s a character who truly cares about his friends and wants them to be happy, and they in turn care about him. This is a sweet, emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings. Parents should be aware that the book does deal with death and animal abuse, and there is one flashback scene that relates the violent way in which Ivan was captured and what happened to his family. However, it is brief, and I felt that all these parts were handled about as gently as they could be without sacrificing the impact of the events. Otherwise, I didn’t find anything else that could be objectionable and believe that the book is wholly appropriate for the the late elementary/middle-grade audience at which it’s aimed. The book won the Newberry Medal and I can see why. It’s a brilliantly written piece of children’s literature that I’m eager to share with my grandchildren when they’re a bit older. I’m also thrilled that Katherine Applegate has written stories for Bob and Ruby as well to round out the series, which I look forward to reading soon. Overall, The One and Only Ivan was a wonderful read that I highly recommend to the young or the young-at-heart who enjoy stories about animals and friendships. show less

4.25 stars. this is such a beautiful, sad, hopeful little book. (it doesn't seem little as it's relatively thick, but there aren't that many words on each page.) it's full of tragedy but also friendship and love, much like life. i cried many times reading it, and am especially sad to know it was based on a true story. the things people do to animals.

this is a nuanced story, though, which i'm glad to see. mack treats the animals badly, but i think he really cares about them. he would like to take better care of them but doesn't have the means. (mostly. he still does train with pain and the claw-stick.) but he's not just an evil guy. i like when it's not so black and white, especially in middle grade books.

this reminds me of charlotte's show more web quite a bit. maybe because i just read it recently, but the idea of different species taking care of each other, of a human girl standing up to try to save one of them, and the animal coming to the rescue of the new young animal in their midst, by creating something with a word. this had more art in it, which was really great, and apparently true. another similarity is the death of one of the main characters. i didn't think this would be a happy story, but i was surprised in the middle when stella died. i hadn't expected that so soon in the story. i also liked how much more of a part the humans played in this story than in charlotte's web, as fern kind of fell out of the story in that one. julia has a much bigger role here, and i liked that. i think it's important for kids to read about other kids who make a difference.

it's also sad that the happy ending in the book and in real life was that these animals ended up in a zoo. applegate is sure to note that some zoos are good to animals, but doesn't claim they all are, which i appreciate. i'm sure it is true that ivan needed to stay in a zoo and be taken care of; he wouldn't have survived in the wild. i just don't like to think of zoos as most animals' happy place. show less