The One and Only Ivan

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Synopsis

After being taken from his family and his jungle home as a baby, Ivan the gorilla has spent most of his life at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where he's one of the main attractions. Over the years, he's gotten used to all the people who come to see him and rarely thinks about the past. He enjoys watching television and visiting with his best friends, Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But more than anything, Ivan enjoys making art. When a baby elephant named Ruby comes to join their troupe, she turns Ivan's world upside down. Ruby still remembers being taken from her family and misses them terribly, which stirs up Ivan's memories. Then an ill Stella makes Ivan promise to see that Ruby has a better life than she's had at the mall. Ivan has no idea how he'll keep the promise he made, but he's determined to try. Finally he comes up with an artistic inspiration that just might change everything for the better for all of them.

Review

The One and Only Ivan is a middle-grade children's book that's inspired by a true story and the first in Katherine Applegate's Ivan & Friends series. It's tells the story of a silverback gorilla named Ivan who was taken from his jungle home as a baby. He was raised by Mack who owns the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, where Ivan eventually became one of the main attractions. He's lived there within the glass walls of his domain for many years, observing people coming and going, watching TV, and making art, which he loves the most. His best friends are Stella the elephant, who performs in the circus show, and Bob, a stray dog who hides out in Ivan's domain. Ivan rarely thinks about his life before coming to the mall and he thinks he's generally content, but that's before a baby elephant named Ruby arrives. Little Ruby is still young enough to remember life in the wild and misses it terribly, so an ill Stella makes Ivan promise to help Ruby by finding a way to improve their lot in life. Ivan knows he must keep his promise to his old friend, but he isn't sure how to do that until an artistic inspiration comes to him that will change everything for all of them.

Ivan is the first-person narrator of the book and he's a fun and compelling character. Despite being locked up in a cage inside for most of his life, he has oddly fond memories of being a baby in Mack's care. However, that doesn't mean that Mack is a good person. In fact, he neglects poor Stella, leading to tragedy, and arguably anyone who keeps animals in too-small enclosures, uses painful training implements, and exploits them for money has questionable ethics, although sometimes he comes off as a man who has simply lost his way. In any case, Ivan doesn't have bad feelings toward his owner and rarely thinks of his life before coming to the mall. But when Ruby shows up she makes him start remembering. That's when he knows things must change. Ivan loves creating art, something he shares in common with Julia, the little girl who comes to the mall every night with her dad who is the janitor. The two bond over the pictures they create, and eventually Ivan comes up with an idea that, if successful, might help all of them find a new life. All of the characters are so sweet and wonderful. Ivan is a great friend, and although the task of getting them out of their present circumstances seems insurmountable, he doesn't give up. Bob is right by his side, offering up encouragement and a sunny outlook in spite of his own lot in life. Ruby is cute and curious like any human kid would be, as well as a little scared of her new living arrangement. Julia is a compassionate soul who loves all the animals and wants to help, and she sees the true beauty in Ivan's art when everyone else only sees blobs. Her father, George, is a bit harried, trying to make a living for his little family, but he, too, harbors empathy for the animals and wants what's best for them. It was an all-around great cast of characters.

The One and Only Ivan is written in spare language with extremely short chapters, but somehow the author manages to express a wealth of meaning in very few words. She creates a bond, both between her characters, and between the characters and the reader that is palpable and unmistakable. I really felt for them and was rooting for a happy ending for all of them. Ivan is smart enough to have learned about human nature and to figure out a way to help his little friend, Ruby, yet he exhibits vulnerability, in his uncertainty over whether his plan will work. He's a character who truly cares about his friends and wants them to be happy, and they in turn care about him. This is a sweet, emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings. Parents should be aware that the book does deal with death and animal abuse, and there is one flashback scene that relates the violent way in which Ivan was captured and what happened to his family. However, it is brief, and I felt that all these parts were handled about as gently as they could be without sacrificing the impact of the events. Otherwise, I didn't find anything else that could be objectionable and believe that the book is wholly appropriate for the the late elementary/middle-grade audience at which it's aimed. The book won the Newberry Medal and I can see why. It's a brilliantly written piece of children's literature that I'm eager to share with my grandchildren when they're a bit older. I'm also thrilled that Katherine Applegate has written stories for Bob and Ruby as well to round out the series, which I look forward to reading soon. Overall, The One and Only Ivan was a wonderful read that I highly recommend to the young or the young-at-heart who enjoy stories about animals and friendships.

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Katherine Applegate

Patricia Castelao @ GoodReads