The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Soon to be a major motion picture!
This Harper Classic edition of the Newbery Medal winner and #1 New York Times bestseller includes an author's note, a letter from the real Ivan's caretaker at Zoo Atlanta, Ivan's "signature," discussion questions, and more.
This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.
Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.
In the tradition of timeless classics such as Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. Katherine Applegate's novel blends humor and poignancy to create this incredible tale of friendship, art, and hope. The One and Only Ivan was named to multiple state lists, received three starred reviews, and was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon.
Plus don't miss Katherine Applegate's Endling series!
Frequently asked questions
Is The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes instances of violence, such as an animal dying due to lack of veterinary care and Ruby being threatened with a skin-tearing elephant hook. These elements indicate a serious treatment of animal welfare issues. The book contains elements that could be considered scary, such as the abusive treatment of animals and the captivity experienced by Ruby. These themes may evoke fear or distress in young readers.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have violence?
The book includes instances of violence, such as an animal dying due to lack of veterinary care and Ruby being threatened with a skin-tearing elephant hook. These elements indicate a serious treatment of animal welfare issues.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have scary content?
The book contains elements that could be considered scary, such as the abusive treatment of animals and the captivity experienced by Ruby. These themes may evoke fear or distress in young readers.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results mention the author's background and other reviews, but there are no explicit religious practices or beliefs in the narrative.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions in the book. The narrative focuses on animal welfare and friendship rather than race-related issues.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have profanity?
Ivan mentions flinging dung at rude visitors, which is a form of crude language. While not strong profanity, it may be considered inappropriate for some audiences.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have climate change?
While the search results mention climate change in relation to the sequel, 'The One and Only Ivan' itself does not address climate themes directly.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have sexual identity?
The book includes a term 'me-balls' used by Ivan to describe the feces he throws at tourists, which is a crude reference but not explicit sexual content. This may be considered inappropriate for younger readers.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. It features animal characters and their experiences without a focus on human gender dynamics.
Does The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes present in the book. The search results reference other books with LGBTQ+ characters but do not indicate any such content in 'The One and Only Ivan'.
