The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate    305 pages

I loved this book!   Ivan a silverback gorilla taken from his family as a baby is raised by Mac and his wife until he grew too big to control then he was put in a cage for 27 years and became the anchor of the menagerie owned by Mac and housed in a shopping mall.   The reader is introduced to Ivan's friends in the menagerie, Stella the elephant, Bob the homeless dog who loves to sleep on Ivan's belly at night and other delightful characters including a sweet baby elephant named Ruby.  Ivan is friends with the man who cleans his cage and his daughter who brings Ivan finger paints and markers.   Stella becomes ill and asks Ivan to watch over baby Ruby and Ivan makes it his mission to see that Ruby lives the happy life she deserves and in so doing many surprises come.   It is an absolutely delightful book and I recommend it to everyone of every age.

 - Shirley J.