The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan

Katherine Applegate

Published in 2012

Grade 3

Published by HarperCollinsReading Level: 570L

“Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. A must have.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

             This book, The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, follows the story of Ivan, a Silverback Gorilla. Ivan lives off exit 8 at the Big Top Mall and Arcade. He lives with Stella, the elephant, and Bob his little sassy dog that stays in the same cage as him. Ivan is under rule of Mack and enjoys seeing Julia, the janitor’s daughter everyday. Ivan loves painting but, Mack sells Ivan’s paintings for money. Ivan begins hiding his paintings from Mack. He only reveals his huge masterpiece to Julia who gets her dad to help her put it up on the billboard outside the mall. But, when a new baby elephant comes into the picture, everything changes. The billboard helped make Ivan’s wishes come true.

Description: Fiction, Newberry Award Winner 2013

Suggested Delivery: Whole Group

Electronic Resources (2):

One and Only Ivan Discussion Questions and Activities

            This is an online PDF from the publishers. This includes a summary, discussion questions, and extending activities. This can be used for post reading activities.

One and Only Ivan Book Trailer

            This is a link to the YouTube book trailer. This can be shown before reading to give an introduction to the book. This would be used as a pre reading activity.

Vocabulary:

            Monstrosity -  very large

            Temperamental – changing of mood

            Squabbled – noisy disagreement

            Hobbles -  to walk awkwardly

            Principles – guide lines

            Gestures – a movement

            Entwine – tangled

Teaching Suggestions:

·      Use this book to teach students about habitats.

·      Use this book to teach students about communication with animals.

·      Use this book to teach students about how people treat animals.

Pre Reading: Show the students a trailer of the book. Then have the students predict what the book might be about.

During Reading: Have students keep track of any vocabulary words they find in a vocabulary journal. Also have students make notes of any predictions or connections they may have throughout the text.

After Reading: Have students complete a short research project about Mountain Gorillas. This will help students learn about their natural habitat and

Writing Activity: Have students write an opinion essay using their knowledge of The One and Only Ivan  and the research project about Mountain Gorillas to answer, should animals live in a zoo or in the wild?