The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2012, HarperCollins; 325 pages) The winner of the 2013 Newberry Medal is an unforgettable literary piece based on the real story of Ivan, an easy-going gorilla accustomed to having humans watching him after spending twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends, Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home -- and his own art -- through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better. This is a story about friendship, about hope, and about the power of art. It's one of those juvenile novels that can be read in an hour, but it will have to be digested in a lifetime. Adults will enjoy it immensely if they like to think about important questions in life. The writing and story elements are superb. This book is a winner. There is a fantastic website about this book with very interesting information. You can access to it clicking here. For a picture of the real Ivan, click here. Find this title in our catalog: The One and Only Ivan Recommended by: Maite
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