Our local librarian recently recommended The One and Only Ivan to my 9 year old son telling him that it was a great book even if it was a little sad. Upon hearing that I waited to see if he would return the book, but he trusted her opinion and checked it out of the library. After several chapters and many utterances of “this book really is good”, I asked if I could listen in. So before bed, we took turns reading the very short (sometimes 1 page chapters) to each other. After 3 days, I became the sole reader as my listener curled under the covers peeking at the artwork when necessary.
Katherine Applegate through her choice of short chapters and simple titles captured my son’s love of bite sized reading. Furthermore, allowing Ivan to tell his own story of friendship and survival meshed perfectly with children’s wonder in the world. I loved this story and was so happy to hear that it was based on a true story in the author’s note. I would recommend The One and Only Ivan to upper elementary to middle school readers.
