A Life-Changing Story About A Gorilla Named Ivan

Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricial Castelao

Copyright: 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Guided Reading Level: S

Genre: Fiction

This Book Has Won:

The Newbery Medal

Summary: This life-changing novel written by Katherine Applegate is inspired by a true story, and readers really feel as if they are in the moment when they read the story also. The novel is about a kind-hearted ape named Ivan who was captured when he was really little. Ivan believes his life is not treating him fairly at all. He is not a fan of his owner Mack, and he hates being locked up in a cage. Ivan uses art to express himself, and soon meets an sweet elephant named Ruby. Ivan decides to protect and take care of her, and since apes are known to protect their family (with Ivan not having much family at all), he thinks this will help him see the better in his life. An adorable ten year old girl named Julia also plays a big role in Ivan's life, and she helps Ivan discover his true artistic abilities. Julia, Julia's father George, and Ruby make Ivan's lonesome and depressing life exciting and positive because they bring out the best in Ivan. This book is one that will not be able to be put down until the last sentence is read!  

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read

Key Vocabulary:

• Billows
• Dwell
• Feeble
• Nimbly
• Placid
• Silverback
• Wily

Electronic Resources:

• Provide students with this incredible book trailer before they choose to read the book:

• Here is a news article about Ivan. I am sure students will like to read this after reading the novel (although they might get sad a little bit).  

Increasing Comprehension Skills:

Before Independent Read:

• Make sure students fill out a word knowledge chart for each of the above vocabulary words. They need to check a box for each vocabulary term. See the chart below for this activity. After the word knowledge chart is completed, give students the list of key vocabulary and the definitions of the words and have them match the definitions to the words.

• Students who choose to read this book should write in their reading journals about what they think the novel is going to be about based on the cover. These inferences will really help students understand key concepts later on in the novel.

During Independent Read:

• Make sure students fill out a word journal for each vocabulary term. They will need to have seven copies of these.  Students might also want to paste these sheets in their reading journals. They will need to use context clues for this activity, which will benefit them greatly. Here is a sample vocabulary journal worksheet (found at this website). 

• Make sure students create two Text-Text, two Text-World, and two Text-Self connections throughout the novel. Students can write however many connections they would like, but they should have at least two of each throughout the novel. They need to write them down in their reading journals and also provide textual support with each connection. This will help students better relate to characters - one of them might be just like a Ruby, a Julia, or even an Ivan. 

After Independent Read:

• Students during any sort of technology time might love creating a wordle with key vocabulary words. Students can write the definitions and the words if they would like to! Just remember, do not have students put spaces if they are writing the definitions because it will spread out each phrase! Here is a sample I made for this novel:

• After the book is completed, use questioning skills for students to write in their journals to see where exactly your students thrive in understanding the text. Check up on students during their independent read time - and make sure the students are coming up with questions. Use these different types of questions as a model: 

                              - Answered Questions

                              - Questions regarding Background Knowledge

                              - Discussion Questions

                              - Research Questions

                              - Confused Questions 

                            (**usually inferences is on this list above, however, since the book is finish the type                              of questioning is not needed)

Writing Activity:

It would be a great idea to relate this novel to how animals are still being treated today. Give students who read this book a couple of examples like zoos and circuses. They might really love this activity! Here is how the question might look:

Do you think animals are being treated like Ivan living in an unnatural habitat still to this day? Do you think zoos and circuses are fair to animals? Why or why not?

Tiffany Tidbit - I loved this novel! It is both heart-breaking and heart-warming. I really grew to love Ivan throughout the entire novel. He is such a sweet ape! When I found out the novel is based on a true story, my heart felt really heavy. I will never look at wild animals the same way again - they deserve their natural habitats. Applegate truly deserved this Newbery Medal. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves animals - not just students!