The One and Only Ivan

I read a monkey book...

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. New York : Harper, 2012.

Plot: Ivan the gorilla lives in a shopping mall with a group of other broken, forgotten animals. He seems content with his life, though, until Ruby arrives. Her presence forces him to slowly realize the domain he calls home is a cage, and a small one at that. Determined to spare her the life of an enclosed performer, Ivan sets off a quest to get Ruby into the zoo, where she can live happily. His efforts bring changes not only to her, but to him as well. It is not easy to make such a change, though. Nor is it easy to face the truth of his own life.

Genre: Animals, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Grades 4-9; be aware, it is a Newbery Award winner, so nice things die. Warn sensitive readers appropriately.

Similar Titles: The Underneath, Chained

Personal Thoughts: The story offers an ideal introduction for stream-of-consciousness narration and animal welfare issues. However, it uses real characters and situations in a manner which diminishes actual events.

Caution: Incoming soapbox 

Ivan was a former pet kept in a small cage in a mall. However, his owners were not the cruel, alcoholic, negligent people the title implies. In Ivan's early life, it was perfectly acceptable to keep a wild-caught animal in such conditions. This does  not make it right, but it was legal and does explain why he lived in such a situation. Additionally,  his owners did not likely work their animals to exhaustion like Ruby was. It makes no sense to do so, since the animals were their main source of income. Why knowingly put such a valuable commodity in danger? An interview with Ivan's owner also implies more concern than stubbornness, since Ivan's health could easily have suffered through a tough move. Many exotic animals have died in transit to new habitats, so the worry, though ultimately unproven, was valid. Additionally, he and his family requested Ivan's ashes after the gorilla died in the zoo they donated him to. They cared enough to ultimately let a zoo have a multi-thousand dollar animal for free and still wished to remember him after his death, unlike Mac from the text. Readers should be encouraged to improve the living situation of animals in their community, but not by demonizing owners for not impulsively changing without concern for the animals involved.

Soapbox ending. Resume writing blog.

Overall, the story is interesting, but not entirely accurate to real events.