Reviews

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

carolineporterfield's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

the_berries_books's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book in elementary school and recently reread it with friends. Will always love it

maxinefloyd's review against another edition

5.0

My husband & I read this book to our 6 & 8 year old daughter & son. It is honestly probably the best children’s chapter book I have ever read. The writing style was very unique & so well done to emulate what a gorilla might think/act like. We laughed, we cried; they never wanted me to stop reading it. We’re starting on the next book in the trilogy (The One and Only Bob) tomorrow. If you have kids, read them this book! If you don’t have kids, still read it!!! Love love loveeee.

dawnurse's review against another edition

4.0

Slow moving, sad but sweet, read aloud story for the kids.

jenmangler's review against another edition

5.0

I cannot say enough how much I loved this book. It's just so beautifully written and sweet and moving. "The One and Only Ivan" is the kind of book that makes you feel good about the world, even though there's suffering and pain in it. Because there's also friendship and kindness in it. And hope.

Ivan, Stella, Ruby, and Bob moved me just as much the second time. I love each and every one of them.

nicola323's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

nichole1988's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

ladygodivas's review against another edition

5.0

years after the Animorphs series, i still can't help getting sucked into K.A. Applegate's writing. i purposely sought out this book until i found the last copy at the bookstore. it took me a while until i finally picked it up, but it was worth it. i wanted to hug Ivan the entire time i was reading the book. stella, bob, ruby and julie are all sweethearts and i am a little upset that they're fictional.
once again, Applegate takes my heart and squeezes all of my emotions out of it. what a quick and amazing read.

mdevlin923's review against another edition

4.0

Ivan is silverback gorilla living in a run-down mall zoo. The days all blur into one another...Stella (the elephant) performs shows, Bob (the homeless dog) sleeps on Ivan's stomach, and Julia (the janitor's daughter) visits at night. But things begin to change when Ruby, a baby elephant, arrives. Ivan promises to save her so that she does not live out her life in the mall zoo...and he uses his art to achieve that goal.

A great choice for kids in grades 3-6...it explores many topics: friendship, animal conservation, animal rights, art and creativity, and loneliness.

Won: Newbery Medal, 2013

blakelyschmidt's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I liked it. It was a truthful outlook on the unfair situations of some animals.