THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Applegate, Katherine. 2012. The One and Only Ivan. New York: HarperCollins.  ISBN: 9780061992254.

 

PLOT SUMMARY

Ivan, a sweet and gentle gorilla, lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade off of I-95.  People from near and far come and enjoy shows at two, four, and seven.  Ivan is accompanied by several faithful friends including Stella, an elderly elephant and Bob, a stray dog.  Ivan enjoys drawing and his owner Mack sells the paintings for $20 a piece or $25 with a frame.  Ruby, a baby elephant, joins the gang when Mack buys her for a cheap price from a bankrupt circus.  Stella and Ruby connect immediately and Stella takes Ruby under her wing as her own.  Stella loses her battle to age and an infected foot. Some of her last words to Ivan are asking him to promise her that he will take care of Ruby and that she is taken to a safe place.  Julia, a young girl that comes out to the mall at night with her dad enjoys to sit near Ivan's domain.  While her dad cleans the mall she does her homework, reads, draws, or visits with the animals.  She brings hope to this promise that Ivan has made to Stella when she gives Ivan finger paint.  Ivan works long and hard on a project in effort to make Stella's promise come true. He gives the papers to Julia whom after some great frustration finally puts the puzzle pieces together. The project gathers much attention when she and her dad place it on the billboard and it spells out HOME.  The news media and protesters help out greatly and the dream of leaving those four walls becomes a reality.  Ruby and Ivan are taken away in boxes and after some time Ivan sees Ruby and Bob at the zoo. 

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Applegate did an amazing job grabbing the reader's attention by using humor, art, and friendship.  The friendship between Stella and Ivan is so loyal that Ivan does the impossible to keep his word and make the promise he made come true.  The author used excellent language to help create imagery of the story.  I could visualize the story so well that emotions of sadness, happiness, and determination were all experienced as I read this book.  One of the parts that really stood out to me was:

 

                                                               the promise

                                "I've never asked for a promise before, because promises

                                 are forever, and forever is an unusually long time. 

                                 Especially when you're in a cage."

 

This is so powerful to me in that promises are sometimes made and are not always kept.  But in reality that does that matter because that person did not belong in your life.  It's the person who does keep their promise and does what ever it takes to accomplish it.  They put aside all hardships and barriers to make it possible for the promise to come true.  Truly enjoyed everything about this book! 

 

AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Newbery Award 2013

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Illinois)

 

“Important.” —The Horn Book

 

“Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. A must have.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

 

“Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

CONNECTIONS

1) Have the students come up with synonyms and antonyms for the following words: courage, promise, patience, imagination, lucky, comfort, protector, perfect,  and respect 

2) Do a extension lesson on the Character Trait: RESPECT and make an anchor chart on how Respect Looks Like and Sounds Like

3) Have the students make a "Bill Board"/poster to persuade people to adopt animals from an animal shelter.  You can collect animal food donations to take to the animal shelter. 

4) Have the students write a letter to a "brave or courageous" person in their lives.  Have the students explain in their letter why they think that person is brave/courageous.