In Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan, the story is told by Ivan, a silverback gorilla who is the main attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall. Ivan doesn't miss the jungle much, not since Mack gave him a TV and showed him how to create art inside his "habitat." Ivan also has lots of friends—Stella, the elephant who lives next to him; Bob, the stray dog who sleeps on Ivan's belly at night; and George, who brings his daughter Julia each night when he cleans the mall. Ivan is content—that is, until a new baby elephant is brought to the mall, and changes forever the way Ivan thinks about the cages in which they all live.

The One and Only Ivan is a simple story whose power lies in the raw, unchecked emotions that pour from Ivan, Bob, Stella and Ruby, the new baby elephant. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting to journey along with Ivan as he attempts, for the first time, to venture outside the safety of his cage.

This brave, moving story is perfect for anyone who loves animals and has ever wondered what they think about life inside a cage.

Inspired by a true story, Applegate (Home of the Brave) offers a haunting tale told from the perspective of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who has been confined to a small "domain" of concrete, metal, and glass for 27 years. Joining Ivan at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade are Stella, an aging elephant, and Bob, a feisty stray dog. While other animals perform, Ivan makes art, watches TV, and offers melancholy assessments of their situation. When Ruby, an inquisitive baby elephant, arrives and Stella dies from neglect, her dying wish is for Ivan to help Ruby escape. The brief chapters read like free-verse poetry, the extra line breaks between paragraphs driving home the contrast between Ivan and humans, who in his opinion, "waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot." As is to be expected, there's significant anthropomorphism, but Applegate is largely successful in creating a protagonist who can understand humans yet feels like a gorilla. Although Ivan's role in the events leading to their rescue reads as too human, readers will be left rethinking our relationship to animals. Final art not seen by PW. Agent: Wernick & Pratt Agency. Illustrator's agent: Kidshannon. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)

Gr 3–7—This tender tale of friendship and hope is narrated by a silverback gorilla living at The Big Top Mall, a shabby, circus-themed roadside attraction. For years, Ivan was passively content. He had his art, unlimited bananas, and his friends: Stella (an elephant), Bob (a stray dog), and Julia (a human child). Ivan's eyes are finally opened to his deplorable surroundings when he loses a friend due to neglect. The last straw is when he witnesses the attraction's owner abusing Ruby, a newly acquired baby elephant. Thus, Ivan is inspired to take action. With some help from his human friends, his dream of a better life for all the Big Top's animals just might come true. The character of Ivan, as explained in an author's note, is inspired by a real gorilla that lived through similar conditions before being adopted by Zoo Atlanta. Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals—especially those living in captivity—and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have.—Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Castelao's gentle spot-art illustrations, originally printed in black-and-white, are presented in full color, bringing to life with tenderness Ivan; his friends Stella, Ruby, and Bob; and the artwork Ivan creates, which eventually casts a spotlight on his plight. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal