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The One and Only Ivan  By  cover art

The One and Only Ivan

By: Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao
Narrated by: Adam Grupper
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Publisher's summary

Soon to be a major motion picture!

Winner of the Newbery Medal and a number one New York Times best seller

This stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this novel is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. This acclaimed middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making.

In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author's note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events.

Plus don't miss The One and Only Bob, Katherine Applegate's return to the world of Ivan, Bob, and Ruby!

©2012 Katherine Applegate (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Featured Article: The Best Family Audiobooks for All Ages


Sharing stories with your family can leave a lasting impression. As a parent, you probably remember the magic of having a book read aloud to you as a kid, and family audiobooks offer that same experience for your own children. Whether you’re looking to help increase literacy or discover the joy of group listening, our list has some of the best family audiobooks, from best sellers to newcomer favorites. Here are the best family audiobooks.

What listeners say about The One and Only Ivan

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  • Overall
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Don’t give up....

We tried this on a family trip last year & no one was feeling it... started it again on our way home from skiing & no one wanted to turn it off. I cried my eyes out for half the book, but I’m a cryer. So good... makes you think as it entertains you. Highly recommend!

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4 people found this helpful

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Heartwarming

I thought that this book would seem very juvenile and that I wouldn’t enjoy it much (I am a 5th grade teacher), but boy, was I wrong. I loved it! So sweet and really tugged at my heartstrings. As soon as I finished, I went and ordered a hard copy for my classroom library. I definitely recommend!

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not a children’s book

This is not a book I would recommend for the under 12 age group unless a parent has read the book first and feels they’re ready. There are some very distressing moments for an adult; I expect a sensitive child could be negatively impacted.
It’s not just sad or horrific events, but the questions about us as humans that come up, that are difficult for an adult to grapple with; a child requires the guidance of a caring adult.
Grupper’s clipped narration works well for communicating Ivan.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic!

My 4th grader had The One and Only Ivan as his assigned summer reading book. It was above his reading level, so we bought in on Audible so he could follow along with his book. It was fantastic, the story is heartbreaking as you connect with the characters, but has the perfect ending. We loved it!

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A Must for the whole family!

Everyone in our family from teen to 2 year old was entertained by this sweet book! It will be a classic and we will listen to it again!

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  • Overall
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great book for middle school kids.

My 9 year old grandson really enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed reading it. We are anxiously waiting on the movie niw :)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful book!

We read this book before watching the movie and loved it! We then looked up the story of Ivan and looked at pictures!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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My classes were enchanted by Ivan and his friends.

My 5th graders were enchanted and touched by this lovely story of Ivan the gorilla and his friends. The novel contained a wealth of figurative language and vocabulary that enriched the story for us.

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  • Overall
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Good book - my 7 year old loved it.

Great book. Listened to the book with my 7 year-old and he really liked it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Touching true story for all ages.

Would you consider the audio edition of The One and Only Ivan to be better than the print version?

They are both excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

It is inspiring, sad, beautiful, and based on the lonely life of a gorilla kept in a concrete enclosure for 27 years in a freeway strip mall. The narration is superb. I believed I was listening to Ivan tell his story.

Which character – as performed by Adam Grupper – was your favorite?

Ivan.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ivan and Ruby's friendship.

Any additional comments?

Excellent narration. Lovely , sad book.

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