Book Review - The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

This is a story of a Gorilla, named Ivan by his human captors, who has lived for 30 years in a tiny enclosure in a "circus themed mall" the owner of which, Mack, is essentially an amateur zookeeper with no real idea how to properly treat animals. Ivan's friends are an elephant named Stella who had to put on performances, a stray dog named Bob (not part of the exhibits), and a young human girl named Julia who teaches Ivan to paint and provides him with supplies. Ivan has all but forgotten his life before the zoo, and while Stella (being an elephant) remembers everything, she is as resigned to this life as he is.

One day, in an effort to renew excitement for the mall, Mack buys a new baby elephant named Ruby. Stella is sad to see another of her kind imprisoned there, and fears what Mack might do as part of Ruby's training. Ultimately, she begs Ivan to find a way to save Ruby, to get her out of the mall and into a better life. At first Ivan has no idea how to do this, though he knows that he must find a way. Eventually he hatches a plan to use his art, which has so far been sold for Mack's benefit, to draw attention to the terrible conditions at the mall.

The One and Only Ivan is a touching story, all the more so for Ivan's unique voice, one that is at once hauntingly human, yet distinctly that of a gorilla. All of the animal characters in this book are appealing for the way in which they highlight those commonplace human behaviors which are nonetheless absurd, but as we see the story from Ivan's perspective we get more insight into his thoughts. They author lets Ivan tell his story in his own way, with a blend of humor and melancholy that allows younger readers to experience the oppression and abuse Ivan, Stella, and Ruby face without becoming overwhelmed or desensitized.

Some may criticize the book for overly anthropromorphizing Ivan, especially as he carries out a very complicated plan while also rediscovering his inner Silverback nature, but this is easy to accept and overlook given that the central message is about the transcendent nature of art, how it can allow us to express ourselves in the way we wish, communicate across language and other barriers, and expose truths in a way nothing else can. As a gorilla, Ivan tends towards thoughtful stoicism, and spends a great deal of time thinking rather than speaking or acting, and it is possible that some readers might feel that this gets boring. On the other hand, the simplistic, straightforward, and honest nature of the animals and the intentionally spare and uncomplicated writing style make this a quick and easy read, and it is unlikely that anyone wouldn't wind up emotionally invested in the fate of the animals.

Animal characters tend to appeal to younger readers, but the themes of abuse, loss, and longing for freedom, as well as some of the more advanced literary techniques, mean that this book might be better suited to middle school aged readers at the earliest. The lessons it holds on empathy, friendship, and the importance of finding one's role and living up to one's potential are ageless, and it is no surprise that this book won the 2013 Newberry medal. I recommend it wholeheartedly to readers of all ages.