Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, is a very touching, sad and loving story. It is about two elephants and a gorilla making promises and sacrifices, and being brave.         

In this story, a silverback gorilla named Ivan lives in a domain at the Big Top Mall with an older elephant named Stella and a stray dog named Bob. They perform in a circus three times a day, 365 days a year.

When a new, shy baby elephant named Ruby arrives, Stella acts like a mom to Ruby and they learn new tricks together. But a change in Stella’s health worries Ivan and he is scared of what might happen to her and if he’ll be able to take care of Ruby on his own.

In conclusion, I loved this book so much that I could read it a thousand times and never get tired of it. Based on a real-life story of a gorilla that was caged in a mall, this story is deeply moving and full of heart. If you like animal stories or stories about the lasting bonds of friendship, this is the story for you.

Reviewer: HockeyDawg

Age: 12