The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, 305 pages.

Winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal, this is a sweet, wonderful book about a gorilla. Ivan has to overcome his resignation to a life in a cut-rate roadside zoo, and confront some long-repressed, painful memories, in order to save a young friend. He has to use all talent and his ingenuity in order to even have a chance. And he has to risk all he knows in order to do this. There is a good deal of sadness in this book, and it might not be the best thing for the very young, but it is a beautiful story and reconfirms my faith in the Newbery. Ivan is a great character.
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