Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

独一无二的伊凡 by Katherine Applegate

33 reviews

megmro's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was wonderful. I'd avoided this book in the past because I was afraid it would be tragic. There are definitely sad parts, but overall it is a tale of triumph. I particularly liked how Ivan comes up with a plan and takes action, and is not just a sad captive to be pitied and acted upon by the humans around him. 

The story is told in first person, and much of Ivan's narrative is upbeat, funny, and content. He doesn't really know what he's missing, and just tries to be happy with what he's got, even though it's not much. It's Ruby who ignites in him the need to make a change. 

Overall, it's heartwarming. The sad parts teach the reader important lessons. I would say the happy definitely outweighs the sad. If you're concerned that it might be too much for your younger reader, I would recommend another book by Applegate: Odder. That one is a little gentler. 

I'd say Odder is grade 3+, and Ivan is maybe more like grade 5+.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

For sensitive readers (like ME!), there are a few descriptions of animal suffering that can be very upsetting.

Ivan is friends with another animal attraction: an elephant named Stella. She has a sore foot that really hurts her, but the owner keeps dismissing it and doesn't call a veterinarian to come take a look at it. The infection gets worse and worse because of his neglect, and she dies.

It made me SO sad, but it's not described in a super graphic way. Another upsetting part is when Ivan finally allows himself to fully remember what happened to his family.

Poachers trapped him and his twin sister, and killed his parents. The quote is brief, but very upsetting: “We were clinging to our mother, my sister and I, when the humans killed her. They shot my father next. Then they chopped off their hands, their feet, their heads.” He then says that the hands were used to make ashtrays, which are sold in gift shops.

A young elephant named Ruby arrives, and when she doesn't cooperate learning the tricks that the owner wants her to do, he brings out a painful tool called a claw hook and says he's going to use it on her.

Ivan decides to paint a beautiful picture to try to tell the humans that he wants Ruby to be sent to a responsible zoo. His actions gain the attention of the janitor's daughter, and then the press, and then animal rights groups, who eventually free all the animals. The end of the story is very happy.

agatha_hopkins's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty

Moderate: Animal death

mlottermoser's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad

4.5

Ivan is a gorilla who lives in a mall with several other animals. His world changes when Ruby a baby elephant joins their group. Desperate to give her a good life Ivan uses his art to make a difference.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty

whosbradpitt's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Read this out loud to kiddo for story time. Cute animal characters with fun and loveable personalities dominate. Written in prose, the story moves quickly, but it is also intensely sad in several places as the author highlights ways that humans are frequently cruel to animals. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

newkgirl's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

Trigger warning: animal abuse mentioned and an animal death

Ivan is a smart Gorilla who understands a good amount about the world he lives in, which is a small cage in a shopping mall and he’s fairly content there. But when things started getting tough for his owner and a new baby elephant is brought in, things change quickly. Ivan makes a promise to his friend Stella, an elephant kept in a cage near his to save Ruby, the new baby elephant from the same fate as they are suffering. Suddenly Ivan has a purpose in life and it’s one he intends to achieve. 

This book is lighthearted and heartwarming but does touch on the tragedy of animals that are kept for entertainment purposes and the resulting abuse they suffer. I enjoyed Ivan’s commentary on people and how he saw the world. The cast of characters were lovable and well developed despite being such a short story. The plot was engaging and well thought out with a lovely ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty

Moderate: Animal death

beautifulminutiae's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

thatreadinggal11's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Wonderful.amazing.moving.GREAT.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Terminal illness

nicolelovesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

5.0

This was an endearing (and surprisingly funny) tale of friendship and survival. I loved the animals’ insight about humans and reading about Ivan’s love of art. 🥰

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

_gabi_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

nataliebee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death