Sunday, March 31, 2013

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate



Grades: 3-6

Inspired by the true story of a gorilla who spent 30 years alone in a
cage at an indoor zoo in a mall, this beautifully written book is told
from the point of view of Ivan, the Gorilla. Follow his struggle to free
himself and a baby elephant from his down and out “domain.”

Author Website: None

37 comments:

  1. Victoria W 4th grade at Winsor Hill Johnston RI 02919

    I read the one and only Ivan and I liked it but the way the teacher read. It kind of put me to sleep. But I bet if the author read it the book would come alive because the author knows what kinds of expressions to use and would make it come a little more alive. So after all it was a great book.

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  2. I read this book. I liked how my teacher read this book with expression. Mr. Allen reads the book like it was alive.

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  3. The One and Only Ivan is a fantastic book! The main character and narrator is Ivan, a gorilla who has high hopes for a better life.

    In the beginning, we had no idea what this story would be about. As we read it, every chapter was a new surprise. Ivan doesn’t like to waste words so the chapters are very short.

    Some parts of the book were funny, while some parts were very emotional.
    Bob, the dog made some of us laugh because he was always making jokes.
    If you like animals than this is the book for you!

    Mrs. Smith's & Ms. Kless' 4th graders
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  4. Ivan lives in the mall. My favorite character is Ivan because he is serious. You should read this because it is based on a true story.

    Vincent gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary
    West Warwick

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  5. this book is about Ivan the gorilla, he lives in a small domain at a mall. Ivan is al.
    ways hoping for a better life.

    My favorite character is Ivan because,he is the story teller/ main character.




    I like this book because it is a book about animals and something is always happening.



    you should read this book if you like emotion, because it can be funny and sad

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  6. You might be interested in The One And Only Ivan if you like strong and sad books. Ivan spends his life in his domain in a mall. I liked the book because I love animals and I love to draw like Ivan.

    Olivia F
    gr.4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  7. This book was about a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall. My favorite character in this book was
    Ivan because he cares about Ruby and Stella who are both elephants.

    I liked this book because Ivan lives in a domain and then gets to see what it is like to be a real gorilla. You should read this book because it will inspire you to help other gorillas who need your help.

    Angel .R Gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick


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  8. Do you like zoo animals?If you do you should read The One And Only Ivan.Its about about a gorilla named Ivan that lives in a domain in the mall and he always draws. My favorite character is Ruby because she is a baby elephant and I love elephants. you should read this book because it is amazing and is a little sad and really funny.

    Elizabeth P Gr.4

    Greenbush Elementary School

    West Warwick

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  9. Do you like fantasy books? You need to like sad fantasy to like this book this book is about a gorilla This takes place in a domain in the mall.I really don’t think there are any weak points of this book. I would recommend this to animal lovers


    4th grade student
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  10. This book was about a big gorilla that was lonely in his little cage. My favorite character in this book was Ivan because he likes to draw. I liked this book because Ivan has some friends and they are very nice. You should read this book because it’s sad and happy at the same time.


    Shalyn C -B Fourth Grader

    Greenbush Elementary School

    West Warwick

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  11. This book is about this gorilla that’s in a cage that he calls a domain. The main characters are Ivan, and Ruby a baby elephant. book is Ivan and The theme the writer tries to get across is to help more animals. People who like to read about animals being free would like this book.

    Nicholas R
    Greenbush Elementary
    fourth grade
    West Warwick

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  12. This book was about a gorilla named Ivan who lived in the mall. I did not like this book because it was too serious. If you like animals you might like this story.

    Mat Gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  13. This book is about Ivan the gorilla who lives in a small domain at a mall. Ivan is always
    hoping for a better life. My favorite character is Ivan because,he is the story teller/ main character. I like this book because it is a book about animals and something is always happening. You should read this book if you like emotion, because it can be funny and sad.

    Matthew 4th grade
    Greenbush Elementary, West Warwick.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The One And Only Ivan is a amazing book! It is about a gorilla who lives in a mall. I think you will like Bob the dog because he is very funny. You should read this book because it is very funny
    and you never know what will happen next. If you like animals this is the book for you!


    Jonathan 4th grade
    Greenbush Elementary, West Warwick.

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  15. This book was about Ivan who lives at the mall. My favorite character is Ivan because he was lonely. I liked this book because it was funny and sad! I think most 4th graders would like this book!

    Joey gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  16. This is book is about a gorilla, named Ivan that lives in a mall. He does not have a good life though. My favorite character is Stella because she is very wise and kind. I liked this book because it has a lot of feelings in it like, happy, sad, lonely, and even grumpy. You should read this book because the animals in the story talk to each other but the humans can hear them, but they cannot understand them. If you like animals, this is the book for you!

    Greenbush Elementary School Mrs. Smith and Miss Kless class M.B.

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  17. The one and only Ivan is a great book. My favorite character was Ivan because I was felt sorry for him. If you like animals I would recommend this book.


    Ashley V. gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  18. This is a great book to read because Katherine Applegate is very good at writing books.
    This book is about a gorilla named Ivan trying to get to a better home because he has a very bad home. I like this book because it is a fiction book about animals and I love fiction books about animals. My favorite character is Ivan because he tries very hard to get a better home. You should read this book if you like animals.

    Savannah gr. 4
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  19. I like this story because its about a elephant and a gorilla. Ivan and Ruby are the main characters. My favorite character is Ivan. Ivan is a silverback which means he’s a leader of gorillas. Ivan and Ruby need a new home. People might like this book if you like gorillas.


    John L. fourth grader
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  20. This book is about a gorilla named Ivan. Ivan thinks that he is the only gorilla on earth. During this book Ivan meets a new friends. I love this book because during it Ivan and Ruby become better friends. My favorite part of this book is when Ivan finds a home and Ruby finds a home. I think kids would love this book like I do.

    Cassandra 4th grade, Grace school, Providence Rhode Island

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  21. In The One and Only Ivan, a gorilla named Ivan gets tired of living alone in his enclosure at the zoo. He becomes friends with a little elephant named Ruby. Ivan and Ruby become friends. I think this is a good and cute book. If you like elephants and gorillas, then The one and Only Ivan is right for you. Leah F Grace School

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  22. The One and Only Ivan is an awesome book. I loved Ivan the best.This book is about a gorilla named Ivan who is in a mall. In the mall there was a store’s window with a sad gorilla who wanted to be home.But finally he is not all lonely any more because he has more visitors coming to see him.If you like gorillas,dogs,elephants and more you may want to read book.

    Andrew J.
    Greenbush School
    West Warwick

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  23. This book is about a gorilla Ivan and elephants Stella and ruby that live in a domain .’’ I usually through me balls at the people. ‘’ This book is excellent because it was very funny and interesting and also sad.

    Abigail B.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    west warick

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  24. The book “The One and Only Ivan” is an excellent book! It is a book about a gorilla named Ivan who is kept in the mall zoo with a stray dog named Bob, an elephant named Stella, and a baby elephant named Ruby. The janitor’s daughter, Julia, wants the animals to have a better home and to be free. She does everything she can to make this happen. This book gave a good life lesson, to never give up. I would recommend this book to animal lovers because you get to feel their emotions and feelings as a real animal. The point is, I thought this book was amazing!

    Morgan J.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    4th Grade

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  25. The One and Only Ivan is a good book. My favorite character is Ivan. Ivan is a gorrilla. My second favorite character is a dog named Bob. Ivan is an ordinary gorrilla. Well at least he was. Ivan is big and strong just like an ordinary gorrilla. Bob was just like an ordinary stray dog.
    I loved this book it was excellent. The author did an amazing job.

    Reviewed By: I.M.S.M. V.R
    Greenbush Elementary
    West Warwick

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  26. This book is about a gorilla named Ivan who is trap in a cage in a mall not a zoo. He lives with his friends Stella, Ruby, and Bob. Ivan is an artistic gorilla he likes to draw with crayons and finger paint. But soon he wants to break out.
    My favorite character is Ivan because he is telling the story. Ivan likes art, fruits,bananas, and his friends. Ivan is a gently gorilla he reads stories and cuddles with his stuffed animal. Those are the reasons why Ivan is my favorite character.
    I like the book Ivan because the book is sad, happy,exciting, and scary. It’s sad because theres a death, it’s happy because there's a happy ending, a exciting because you want to see what will happen next, and scary because it’s a kind of scary ending.
    This book is good for people who like adventures and a good ending it’s a great book for a lot of people. This is a great book so I rate it **** 4 stars. I recommend this book to 4th and 5th grade. Have fun reading Ivan.
    D. Cooper
    Greenbush Elementary School
    Jan. 30, 2014

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  27. Hi my name is Jillian, and I read the book “ The One And Only Ivan.” This book is about a gorilla Ivan and two elephants named Ruby and Stella who live in a mall in a domain. They are helpful creatures and caring for others. there is another character named Bob, Bob is the kind of dog that is grumpy, and likes to take naps. All of them including Bob make a good team. my favorite character is Ruby she is a cute baby elephant and is always caring for others. that is why she is my favorite character.

    I liked this book because it was sad at some parts and funny at some parts like when Ivan throughs mee-balls at people. And then stella died thats what I like, this book was for me. You should read this book because it shows you animals feelings. If you get really sad if something bad happens then i don't think this book is for you. In my opinion I would give this book a four star rating. I really enjoyed this book!

    Jillian D.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  28. Grace school

    I liked the book because it's about a gorilla who is the only gorilla in the strip mall. Because his name is Ivan, people call him the one & only Ivan. He has a sister.

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  29. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate this book is fiction. The story is about a girl name Ruby and she like to paint and draw a lot . The book is also about humans and about a gorilla. The book took place in the exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. I think you should get this book because it about friendship.

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  30. In The One and Only Ivan there is this gorilla named Ivan and a dog named Bob and an elephant named Stella and another elephant named Ruby.
    This book is excellent book. I loved it because it was amazing. You should read it!


    Celia C. fourth grade
    Green bush Elementary
    West Warwick

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  31. The One and Only Ivan has different points of views of animals. I think that this is a really cool feature of what Katherine Applegate has to offer in this thrilling story. I hope you get to see the ups and downs of what the characters go threw and their feelings!

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  32. This is about a mighty silverback gorilla who lives in mall . He has 2 friends. Ivan is my favorite character.

    Alex C.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  33. This book is about a gorilla that spends his whole life living in a mall. My favorite character was Ivan. I did not liked this book because it is sad.You should read this book if you like sad, funny, and happy endings you should read this book.

    Derick W.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  34. There is a gorilla named Ivan in this book. He was very nice to everyone. My favorite part is was when Ruby goes to the zoo and makes more friends.

    Alexis G.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  35. The One and Only Ivan is a great book. If you like heartwarming and sweet books than this is the book for you. This book is about a gorilla named Ivan and Ivan has been living in a zoo mall for several years. Along the way he meets new friends. In the book a new friend named Ruby joins the zoo mall with the rest. Finally he finds a real home in a zoo where he can be with his own. Give this book a try and trust me you will like it :)

    Mia C.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  36. Ivan the gorilla is my favorite character. I like this book because it had different animals in it and it was funny.You should read this book if you like animals and funny books.

    Jeremy R.
    Greenbush Elementary School
    West Warwick

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  37. This is a awesome book.This book warmed my heart ! You are going to need a box of tissues!
    S.K.
    Lincoln Central

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