I will post more about The One and Only Ivan after I read it.
Publication Date: January 17, 2012
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. 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. -Description taken from here.
Read a Q & A with Katherine Applegate.
*"Loved everything about this book. I loved the story and the characters. I loved the format. I loved learning the story that this book was based on. It is definitely a treasure of a book." -Franki Sibberson, author of Beyond Leveled Books
*"Kindness and its ability to change lives shines through on every single page of this book. Through the eyes of a silverback gorilla, we learn about the power of art, friendship, and love. Katherine Applegate’s beautiful, life-affirming story will soar directly from Ivan’s heart into your own. Read it out loud. Read it alone. Read it.”—Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath
*"Coming out early to predict big things for The One and Only Ivan in 2012." -Paul W. Hankins
*"From the first page to the last, you will hope, cry, and rejoice with Ivan and his friends. This truly is a ‘One and Only Novel’!”—Becky Anderson, Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL <--Mr. Schu's FAVORITE bookshop.
*“A beautifully written, intelligent, and brave book. Quite simply,
this story is life changing.” —Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medalist for Sarah, Plain and Tall
