Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan

The more I reflect on my reading, the more I appreciate my 3rd grade teacher for his book choices!! Another book I recalled reading in his class was The One and Only Ivan, a book about a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a run-down mall circus. I remember finishing the story before my teacher revealed to the class that it was inspired by a real gorilla, which was a fact that surprised a lot of people. I still have my copy of the book from more than 6 years ago now, so I took the opportunity to reread it.


The story is told from Ivan’s point of view and the basic gist of the book is that Ivan has been living in this small glass cage and has grown used to life in captivity. Soon, a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, causing Ivan to view their situation in a different way. Determined to protect Ruby, Ivan uses his talent of drawing to try to change their future and seek a better life outside of their cage. 


There’s also a few things I’ve noticed on a reread that I’d like to point out! First of all, Ivan’s voice seems a lot more complex. It’s clear that Applegate carefully crafted his voice to have him be emotionally guarded and be sort of avoiding certain memories. Ivan’s trauma comes through subtly but definitively. Additionally, the simple language and short chapters feel very intentional the second time: I can see them symbolizing Ivan’s limited world. Another aspect of the story that I have a new perspective on is Ivan’s drawings. As a third grader, his drawings seemed like a cute character trait. Now, it’s easier to see how his art is a symbol of reclaiming power: of protest, and also hope. 


Overall, The One and Only Ivan is a quick but impactful read. It’s a story that encourages empathy and reminds us that even the quietest voice can create change.


-L.J. 

Comments

  1. HyelynnMarch 3, 2026 at 1:34 PM

    This book was one of my favorite books when I was younger! I like how you describe Ivan's voice in the book, along with the symbols.

    ReplyDelete

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