The One and Only Ivan

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.

Winner of Newbery Medal (Children's) 2013 Winner of Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Grades 3-6) 2014 Winner of Virginia Readers Choice Award (Elementary) 2014 Winner of Christopher Awards (Books for Young People) 2013 Winner of Sequoyah Book Awards (Children's) 2015 Winner of Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (Intermediate) 2013 Runner-up for Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award 2015 Runner-up for Maine Student Book Award (Grades 4-8) 2014 Runner-up for Nene Award 2015 Commended for E.B. White Read Aloud Award (Middle Readers) 2013

“"Will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must have." -- School Library Journal (starred review) "Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan's extraordinary story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) "Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur. Adults reading this aloud with children will find it just as rewarding." -- Shelf Awareness "Important." -- The Horn Book "The One and Only Ivan will break your heart--and then, against all odds, mend it again. In cheering for Ivan and his friends, we cheer for our own humanity and our own possibilities. Read this." -- Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor author of The Wednesday Wars "A beautifully written, intelligent and brave book. You will never look at the relationship of humans and animals in the same way again. Quite simply, this story is life changing." -- Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall "Katherine Applegate's beautiful, life-affirming story will soar directly from Ivan's heart into your own. Read it out loud. Read it alone. Read it." -- Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath”

★ "Will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must have." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

★ "Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan's extraordinary story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

★ "Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur. Adults reading this aloud with children will find it just as rewarding." -- Shelf Awareness

"Important." -- The Horn Book

"The One and Only Ivan will break your heart--and then, against all odds, mend it again. In cheering for Ivan and his friends, we cheer for our own humanity and our own possibilities. Read this." -- Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor author of The Wednesday Wars

"A beautifully written, intelligent and brave book. You will never look at the relationship of humans and animals in the same way again. Quite simply, this story is life changing." -- Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall

"Katherine Applegate's beautiful, life-affirming story will soar directly from Ivan's heart into your own. Read it out loud. Read it alone. Read it." -- Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath

Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including the One and Only series, the Endling series, Crenshaw, Wishtree, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series. She lives with her family in Nevada.

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.

Soon to be a major motion picture! Winner of the Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. This acclaimed middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It's a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author's note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events. Plus don't miss The One and Only Bob, Katherine Applegate's return to the world of Ivan, Bob, and Ruby!

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