Katherine Applegate

Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his long-lost sister with the help of his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

The One and Only Bob

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.

The One and Only Ivan

Beautiful quote. Has a great meaning and it shows us that promises aren't always the right thing.

Mel pauze

“I've never asked for a promise before, because promises are forever, and forever is an unusually long time.”

I loved this book, it was a book study for class but I found comfort in this book to where I bought it for myself. The characters are wonderful, and as an artist, Ivans talent amazes me.

Deepika Ramesh

A beautifully written, heartwarming story. Loved it. :)

Andréa Mellalieu

I nearly lost my voice...from reading this to my son (6) in two (long) sittings, and crying every few chapters.

Jaden Nelson

I read this book like a year ago and I loved it. Such a sad, heart touching, but also happy and super fun story. Easy, quick read, probably at a level late elementary kids could even read. Amazing character development and great plot line. I don't remember a whole lot of the details, but I remember I almost gave it 5 stars. 9.7/10 would recommend to kids, teens, and adults!

Melissa Palmer

Book #15 Read in 2013
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

What a beautiful and heart wrenching read all at once! Ivan is a gorilla who was taken into captivity at a young age. He was purchased by Mack, who has set up a small circus/animal display in the middle of a mall. Ivan is there with other animals but is closes to Stella, a wise old elephant, and Bob, a stray dog who likes to sleep on Ivan's stomach. Then a young elephant, Ruby, arrives and Ivan makes both Stella and Ruby promises that he is not quite sure how to keep.

These characters are wonderful and readers will fall in love with them. Readers will root for the animals to have happy endings. The chapters are extremely short, so this book flies right by, even for the most reluctant of readers. Applegate's writing is magical.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

A worthy sequel to the excellent The One and Only Ivan, this story focuses on the unlikely hero of a dog, Bob. Returning in this book is Ivan, Ruby and Snickers. I loved it.

Kristen Claiborn

I decided to read this book because I actually REALLY want to watch the movie, and like most avid readers, we always prefer reading the book first. I honestly don't think I have EVER read a book that was so devastatingly sad but that I loved so damn much.

keith

will always love this book, when i got this, it was the first time i had ever been in a bookstore! forever very special :)

A #1 New York Times BestsellerA Newbery Medal WinnerA Christopher Medal WinnerA Gold Medal Winner in Juvenile Literature (California Book Award)Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award WinnerA School Library Journal Best of Children's BooksKirkus Reviews Best of Children's BooksIvan 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 betterGrades 3-7 |Age 8-12 |Lexile 570

Rick Dobrowolski

Fun book that I read to my kids. It took much longer to read than I thought it would, but the story was pretty entertaining and kept my 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son's interest throughout. The very short chapter divisions became a little annoying to me as I read the book, but I could see how they would be helpful in advancing the story for a young reader. This is not a must read book for kids, but it is a good read for kids.

Brianna

The sweetest and most emotional middle grade I’ve probably ever read.

Lincy

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. Having spent twenty-seven 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. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope. The One and Only Ivan features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective). Plus don't miss Katherine Applegate's Endling series!

Stefanie Sugia

"Growing up gorilla is just like any other kind of growing up. You make mistakes. You play. You learn. You do it all over again.
 
It was, for a while, a perfect life."I've finally decided to pick this book after so many years and I'm so glad I did! This book just melts my heart and makes me feel really emotional. I love how the author decides to write the story from Ivan's perspective, and I personally think she depicts an animal's perspective really well. The plot itself is really simple. It's quite short too, so it's a fairly quick read. Each chapters are rather short as well, but those short chapters are packed with sentences that made me feel all the emotions 😭. I'm really amazed by how wonderfully Katherine Applegate characterize and relay the emotions with such simple and uncomplicated words. Inside there are also adorable illustrations that completes this beautiful story 😊.
  "Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot. Everyone knows the peels are the best part."
Every characters in this book is special in their own way. My personal favorite has to be Stella; because she sounds like a very wise and graceful elephant. That's why I was so heartbroken when something happened to her—which I won't share here to avoid spoiling the story for those who haven't read it yet. I also adore Ruby who still has a child's innocence in her because she doesn't know much yet. There are so many cute and adorable moments that makes me go 'awww~' 😂. And of course Ivan, the silverback gorilla, is also a special one. There's a scene towards the end that made me tear up because it's a beautiful way to end this story. I think despite being a gorilla who looks quite intimidating from the outside, Ivan truly has a gentle and tender heart ♥️♥️.

Overall, The One and Only Ivan is a beautifully written story that will definitely tug at your heartstrings. I truly want to believe that all animals think and feel like characters in this book do. That's why it is not okay to treat animals badly just because we think they are less than human beings. Besides that, this book is also a very nice introduction to Katherine Applegate's writing. Maybe I'll consider reading more of her works in the future 😊.
  "Humans. Sometimes they make chimps look smart."


Read the full review here:
http://www.thebookielooker.com/2018/0...

Amanda Kordeliski

Ivan is a gorilla living in a circus themed shopping mall and hasn't seen another gorilla in 27 very long years. This book is written loosely in verse and told in first person from Ivan's perspective about his life in the shopping mall with his best friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. When baby elephant Ruby comes to live in the mall, Ivan finally feels like he has someone he needs to protect. 

After all the starred reviews and book blogs listing this as a potential Newbery contender for 2013, I was a little underwhelmed with the storyline. I liked Ivan but my favorite character was Bob the dog. Books in verse are very popular with my middle schoolers and this is an animal book that will be an easy sell to 6th grade girls.

Selena Rivera

This is such a deep book that is also so cute the characters are so easy to fill in love with because the author does such a wonderful job. It’s great how she makes the animals so expressive and intricate. It’s a really nice story destined to be a children’s classic and favorite for years.

Ana V. 

Beautifuly told 

Such an amazing story and interesting book and chapter format. Clear and direct message. Emotional story with a hopeful ending.

Such a cute middle grade. 💕
I love a good animal first person perspective.

Emir Andrés Ibañez

Ivan, Ruby y Bob en mi corazón forever ♥

Kirsty

Before I saw this book on Scribd I had never actually heard of it before. I think at face value it was good but I was bored for the majority of this book. There were only a few characters in this story and I found it pretty repetitive.

Jordan Heustis

I’m crying! 😭 I love stories like this (but a huge majority of zoos still suck) I always wish I had my hands on these kind of books when I was a kid

When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.

Destiny J Tamayo

I loved the way the story is written. Ivan has such a simplistic way of thinking that makes the story even better because it wasn't trying to be convoluted but rather facts that Ivan knows to be true.

Kath Lau

I didn't have any idea that this book actually exists. I listened to the audiobook edition and it's such a very touching story. I love all the characters especially Ivan and Bob. Highly recommended!

Lily D

Cara Johnson

Loved reading this series with my sister, it’s the cutest!!

Sarah Willhite

This was so heartwarming but yet so sad at the same time. I adored EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER!!!!!! I flew through this book where I read 100 pages in 30 minutes. I finished it in 1 sitting also!! I thought it was so interesting to see that the main character Ivan, was inspired by a real gorilla!! I loved the small illustrations throughout the book. I need the sequel ASAP.......... ( me exiting Goodreads to go to Amazon)

The One and Only Bob

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