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The One and Only Ivan Movie Tie-in Edition: My Story
Now a major motion picture available on Disney+!
Inspired by a true story, this is the beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy that will appeal to fans of Michael Morpurgo.
This #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel is coming to the big screen this summer, with a star-studded cast including Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, and more!
Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at the Exit 8 shopping mall. He rarely misses life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly thinks about it at all. But everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realises he must find a new life for them both.
Told from Ivan’s perspective, this is a stand-out novel with a pertinent message, ideal for readers of 9+.
Inspired by a true story, this is the beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy that will appeal to fans of Michael Morpurgo.
This #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel is coming to the big screen this summer, with a star-studded cast including Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, and more!
Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at the Exit 8 shopping mall. He rarely misses life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly thinks about it at all. But everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realises he must find a new life for them both.
Told from Ivan’s perspective, this is a stand-out novel with a pertinent message, ideal for readers of 9+.
- GenresMiddle Grade
336 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2020
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Applegate
280 books6,280 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 28, 2020
My 10 yr old son and I tried to read this together. I had to finish without him as it was too emotional for his sensative heart. Good story but my child had a hard time with the grief and felt really bad throughout the majority until he finally said he couldn't finish. I finished it and told him the end.
Read
August 18, 2020Poignant. Written with very short “chapters” to pull the reader along.
Inspired by a true story of a captive gorilla in a mall.
Pulls on the heartstrings.
Great characterization.
Both of my kids loved the book and my son insisted I read it, too. (He read it in about one sitting!)
Inspired by a true story of a captive gorilla in a mall.
Pulls on the heartstrings.
Great characterization.
Both of my kids loved the book and my son insisted I read it, too. (He read it in about one sitting!)
April 27, 2022
3.5 - Just finished reading this book and WOW. I thought the writing was good and the characterisation of Ivan was well done. It is truly impressive how Applegate has translated the thoughts of a gorilla onto page. At times, I did feel like the language and imagery was quite dark and explicit considering this is a children's book. But at the same time, I think it's important that we must not censor some realities or minimise how common abuse towards animals is. Overall, a good read!
November 10, 2022
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
DNF 😭
I tried to read this last year and I just wasn’t invested in it. So I tried again this year and still wasn’t invested. I read 10 chapters in this book but I don’t know it’s just not for me. I almost think that rating and reviewing peoples life is kinda wrong. So if I had to rate it on how much I enjoyed it. It would be a 1/5 ⭐️.
I’m sorry. I just think this book was a little to long. Hey I like books that are long if I enjoy them. I don’t know I really don’t wanna make this a long review because as I said this book is about a true life experience to someone. So all I really have to say is.
I don’t think I will be reading anymore true life experiences anymore. Their just not for me. I think I personally enjoy fiction. I think also that it’s better for me if that makes sense. What I mean is just I don’t want to make reviews about peoples experiences. Cause as I said for me it feels wrong. I also think that the only true life experiences I will read now is for school. Because right now I am reading Growing Up Dakota which is a true story. So I think the only true life experiences I will read will be only for school. Because reading them out of school I just don’t enjoy them that much.
Anyways it’s totally ok if you love this book. That’s ok we’re allowed to like different things. Bye!
DNF 😭
I tried to read this last year and I just wasn’t invested in it. So I tried again this year and still wasn’t invested. I read 10 chapters in this book but I don’t know it’s just not for me. I almost think that rating and reviewing peoples life is kinda wrong. So if I had to rate it on how much I enjoyed it. It would be a 1/5 ⭐️.
I’m sorry. I just think this book was a little to long. Hey I like books that are long if I enjoy them. I don’t know I really don’t wanna make this a long review because as I said this book is about a true life experience to someone. So all I really have to say is.
I don’t think I will be reading anymore true life experiences anymore. Their just not for me. I think I personally enjoy fiction. I think also that it’s better for me if that makes sense. What I mean is just I don’t want to make reviews about peoples experiences. Cause as I said for me it feels wrong. I also think that the only true life experiences I will read now is for school. Because right now I am reading Growing Up Dakota which is a true story. So I think the only true life experiences I will read will be only for school. Because reading them out of school I just don’t enjoy them that much.
Anyways it’s totally ok if you love this book. That’s ok we’re allowed to like different things. Bye!
November 29, 2020
Excellent family read! My 9-year-old and I read this book together and absolutely fell in love with Ivan and all the animal characters!
February 26, 2021
I read it in the 3rd grade.
Read
June 25, 2021It is the best book you can read
May 27, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
June 17, 2025
My 12 year old grandson recommended this book to me. He remembered that I bought it for his birthday. It won the Newberry Award and was made into a movie.🍿 It was a wonder filled story! I loved it!😍
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews