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The One and Only IvanKatherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
A gorilla who has lived twenty-seven years in a shopping-mall cage decides, for the sake of a baby elephant, to draw something that will be understood.
A story about animals, moving and gentle in tone. We would put it with children of 8–11, and at a reading age of about 9 for reading alone.
Worth knowing before you buy
- An animal dies
- Cruel adults
None of this makes it a bad book — often the opposite. It is here so you can decide whether it is right for your child now or in a year or two.
Our take on this book
Ivan is a silverback gorilla who has lived for years in a glass enclosure at a shabby shopping-mall attraction, passing the time with his art and his friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog — until the arrival of a baby elephant makes him remember what he owes them, and he resolves to change all their lives. Katherine Applegate's Newbery-winning novel is narrated by Ivan himself, in short, spare, deeply affecting chapters, and it is a quietly powerful story about captivity, friendship, hope and the promises we keep. There is sadness in it — captivity, the loss of a friend — handled with great tenderness rather than melodrama. For a nine- to twelve-year-old it is a beautiful, moving, hugely popular read that treats big feelings with a light and honest touch, and a book that leaves many children thinking hard about animals and freedom. Based, remarkably, on a true story.
If they like this, try these
Chosen by matching age, reading age, tone and subject — not by what is selling.
Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo
Charlotte's WebE. B. White
ShadowMichael Morpurgo
Stuart LittleE. B. White
The Butterfly LionMichael Morpurgo
Double ActJacqueline Wilson
Or let them write their own.
Nothing gets a child reading like a story they invented themselves. Your child plans the characters and the plot, and we write, illustrate and print it as a real book with their name on the cover as the author.
Find another book
Tell us the age, the reading age and what they like, and we will suggest a handful.