The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate · The One and Only
A Newbery-winning masterpiece told through the eyes of a captive gorilla who discovers the power of art and love to change the world.
Kid
69
/ 100
Parent
79
/ 100
Teacher
81
/ 100
Best fit: ages 9-11
Still works: ages 7-13
Our Take
Literary powerhouse with exceptional emotional depth and classroom utility. Kids feel deeply; parents see growth; teachers build units. The gap reflects a book whose quiet craft and moral complexity reward adult appreciation more than child entertainment.
✓ Perfect for
- • Animal lovers who want stories with emotional depth
- • Developing readers who need accessible prose with real substance
- • Kids ready to explore complex ethical questions about how humans treat animals
- • Families looking for a powerful read-aloud with discussion potential
Book facts
- Format
- middle grade novel
- ISBN
- 9780061992278
- Series
- The One and Only
- Illustration
- sparse
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