The One and Only Ivan #1 - Katherine Applegate

 

This stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.

Having spent 27 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.

The One and Only Ivan #1 - Katherine Applegate

What I thought of it:

I really loved this book. It was so sad but hopeful at the same time, and one thing I have to point out, at the end of the movie. The end is not the same. I don't know if I'm right, but I'm pretty sure that at the end of the book, Ivan goes to a zoo with a TV in his enclosure. And if I'm not mistaken, I distinctly remember that he had to plead or something for it to show Ruby, who was in the elephant place next to him. I dunno. Maybe my brain is wonky or something, but that's what my brother and I remember. 

How I Found Out About it:

Road-trip. Road-trip + siblings = war. Mom + idea = audiobooks. So, we listened to the one and only Ivan that road-trip, and that's how I went about reading the One and Only Bob. 

What You Should Know:

You are going to cry. I don't care if your heart is made of rock. You are GOING to cry. So make sure that there's no one around you when you're reading this. 

How Many Stars:

Four and a half stars. My heart was a little scarred after this because it was so sad. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💫*

*1/2 of a star!

DISCLAIMER: The synopsis is not my own. Please note this, and don't think that I came up with that myself!! Let's give a moment to congratulate the amazing people who wrote that synopsis.