Select language, opens an overlay

Comments (115)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 115 items
Content warning. Some content has been marked as offensive or a spoiler.
Feb 07, 2024Honee_LibAssistant rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A beautifully written book that will teach kids about courage and friendship.
Dec 27, 2023red_beetle_312 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I like the uplifting message and the story itself. It's good.
Oct 08, 2023LuvReadingStuff rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Wish I could see the movie but it’s only on Disney channel
Mar 31, 2023Anita_Dickey rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this book for The March mini challenge 2023 for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the prompt read a book from an animals point of view. I enjoyed this middle grade novel. I am excited to read the other two in the…
Mar 06, 2023JCLSarahZ rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Poignant and lyrical chapter book based on the real Ivan who lived for 27 years in a tiny enclosure at a shopping mall.
Jan 25, 2023kwallsrn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The One and Only Ivan is the best. There are sad parts and good parts. It was a story about friendship and animal rights. I recommend this book for Elementary and up. (From Ezra-age 7)
Oct 17, 2022HPL_Teen_Volunteer3 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The One and Only Ivan is a great novel by the great writer Katherine Applegate. Based on a true story, touching characters and lovely writing tell an important message. Ivan is a silverback. Silverbacks are supposed to be protectors. But…
Oct 06, 2022Sakidog1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is wonderful, touching, and easy to read. It has beautiful illustrations and carries a message about animal feelings and the importance of their habitat. I read it all in one setting and was glad to hear of the upcoming movie and…
Sep 18, 2022mintbutterfly10 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed it ♥️
Mar 23, 2022AWESOMEPOSSUM1010 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It's awesome. Would be nice to see Ivan the gorilla himself, if he didn't die in 2012, sadly. And I wonder how to see the movie, since it's in Disney+. I'll figure out the last one, but anyhow, book's great.
Mar 21, 2022JCLCharlesH rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Applegate's novel, based on a true story, is narrated by a gorilla but has more pathos and human connection than I expected. Truly heartwarming, this book is great for those wanting an inspirational read at any age.
Mar 03, 2022AddieKitten rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great characters, great story, will probably make you cry.
Jan 12, 2022OliviaW_KCMO rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
You will fall hard for Ivan, Stella, Ruby and their friends and fans. I was particularly impressed at how deftly handled some of the trauma and pain of animal captivity was handled. No confusing euphemisms and no excessive trauma, either.…
Jan 04, 2022VaughanPLDianeB rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A serious yet touching and sweet read about animals in captivity that flows very well using short chapters. Based on a true story of a gorilla poached as a baby in the Congo, brought to the U.S. and made to live in a cage off the I-95 in…
Sep 09, 2021aforrest_0 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Sweet and heart-tugging. Definitely one for kid animal lovers (their parents too)!! A Battle of the Books book this year! (Don't worry, I'll get my copy in ASAP!) Now I want to read "The One and Only Bob"!
Jul 29, 2021akshiMalhotra rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The One and Only Ivan is a great and enjoyable book, especially for animal lovers, written from the perspective of Ivan. It is about a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lived in a cage at a mall, who has spent most of his life in…
Jun 16, 2021JCLBrittanyC rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An excellent pick for any young reader! I think kids can learn through the feelings and emotions of these animals without feeling totally overwhelmed. Julia sets a wonderful example of how to make a change when you feel things aren't…
Jun 14, 2021
the one and only Ivan is such a good book, I checked it out so many times, and loved it more every time. you have serriously got to read it, right now, today!!!!!. thank you.
Feb 07, 2021BeckyR21 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Superb! What a great children's novel. A touching story of friendship and hope. A poignant ending. Looking forward to watching the movie!
Nov 15, 2020Valancy1 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A deceptively simple book for children that ends up being quite haunting and poignant. Based on a true story, about a gorilla named Ivan who lives for many years at a circus-themed mall. The story is easy to read, and has a lot of…
Sep 11, 2020_sanahi_ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Ivan is a wild gorilla that was sold into the circus industry at a young age. He lives in a shopping mall circus, and is popularly known for his "angry and violent" act in which he roars and beats his chest as a thrill for the audience.…
comment flagged as spoiler
Sep 04, 2020iloveseaotters rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
This content is flagged as a spoiler
Jun 24, 2020DracAthos rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a heartbreaking but unbelievably sweet tale of a gorilla who tries his best to help those around him, especially Ruby. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals. It's a good easy book for those who are reluctant…
Jun 04, 2020ArapahoeAnnaL rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Ivan is a sweet, complex character who will win your heart!
May 10, 2020Edwamau rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was a wonderful story. I listened to it and the narrator did a very good job. You could picture Ivan sounding like this if he could talk to you. The stories focus is on Ivan, the gorilla, trying to save a baby elephant from the…