Share:

“The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate is a beautifully written novel that tells the story of a silverback gorilla named Ivan, who has spent his life at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade.

"The One and Only Ivan" is about a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a mall. Ivan has been living in a small cage for 27 years, and he has become used to it. He spends his days watching TV, drawing pictures, and hanging out with his friends—an old elephant named Stella and a stray dog named Bob.

One day, a baby elephant named Ruby arrives at the mall. Ruby is scared and doesn't understand why she's there. Stella, who is like a mother to Ruby, makes Ivan promise to take care of her and make sure she has a better life.

After Stella dies, Ivan becomes determined to keep his promise. He starts drawing pictures of a zoo, a place where animals like Ruby can be free. Ivan hopes that people will see his drawings and help them.

A girl named Julia, who is the daughter of the mall's janitor, notices what Ivan is doing. She and her dad help get the word out about the animals. Soon, people start to care about what happens to Ivan and Ruby.

In the end, Ivan and Ruby are moved to a zoo where they have more space and are treated well. Ivan is finally free to live with other gorillas, and Ruby has a new home where she is safe and happy.

This story is about friendship, bravery, and the importance of doing the right thing. Ivan learns that even though he lived in a cage for a long time, he could still make a big difference for his friends.

I think "The One and Only Ivan" is a really powerful and touching book. It tells the story of Ivan, a gorilla who lives in a cage at a mall, and his journey to help his friend Ruby, a baby elephant. What makes this book so special is how it shows us the world through Ivan's eyes. Even though he is a gorilla, he has feelings and thoughts just like us, which makes it easy to understand and care about him.