Staff Picks: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

If I had to guess which juvenile chapter book I recommend more than any other to elementary students it would be The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Inspired by a true story, it’s an anthropomorphic middle-grade novel about a silverback western lowland gorilla named Ivan who spent twenty-seven years in a 14'x14' enclosure as a Tacoma, Washington shopping mall attraction. This story is told from the unique perspective of Ivan himself as he tackles the universal themes of friendship, artistic expression, and hope. Not surprisingly, Disney recently released a star-studded film adaptation, which has made this book all the more popular at FCPL lately.  

I’ve never met a child or adult who didn’t love this book, but it seems to be especially appealing to 3rd-5th graders who are reluctant readers. In addition to the delightful characters, humor, and emotional plot, this book is written in a very sparse style with short chapters and plenty of white space on each page which seems to make it much easier to read by kids who are hesitant to pick up a book for fun. 

I have witnessed elementary students who say they “hate reading” change their tune after reading this book, so I am thrilled to share that Katherine Applegate’s highly anticipated sequel, The One and Only Bob, was published earlier this year and is now in our collection in print, CD book, eBook, and eAudiobook. It’s told from the point of view of Ivan’s best friend, Bob, a spunky little stray dog who embarks on a hero’s journey to find his long-lost sister with the aid 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 he learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

You may find a moderate waitlist for any version of either of these titles, but I guarantee they are well worth the wait. 

Leslie 
Youth Specialist 
#WeKnowBooks