Its Monday! What are you reading?

The One and Only Ivan by Katheryn Applegate

This book is a John Newbery medal  winner.  This book was picked because of being one of the most distinguished in American Children’s Literature.  It was also on the New York Times Best Seller list. The illustrations brought to us by Patricia Castelao spark emotion in their simplicity.

The theme of this book is that of animal cruelty and isolation.  There are 4 main animals characters and 3 main human characters in this book. Barring the Owner Mack all the characters are trapped in on way or another.  Despite their situations they all find a way to trust, love and because of friendship  find a way to help each other.  The Big top Mall at Exit 8 seems like it may have been around a lot  longer than animal rights activist have been.   Ivan suffers many years in his dwelling (cage)without anyone noticing.  I wonder is Applegate is trying to remind us readers of the need for us to care for animals and not exploit them?

Ivan in this story is reminded again again by his friend Stella the elephant that there is hope for a better home.  Ivan’s friend Bob the dog also reminds Ivan of Ivan’s own lost affections that he had with his sister and parents in the jungle.   However, Ivan needs more than hopeful words and gentle reminders to breath life back into him after his family is murdered and his sister dies of heartbreak in a box while being transported out of the jungle. What Ivan needs finds him when a young elephant new to Exit 8 Big Top Mall arrives as a captive and her name is Ruby.  After Stella dies of an untreated infection Ivan feels protective of the baby elephant Ruby. He begins to feel emotionally connected to Ruby similar to what a Silverback in it’s natural environment would feel toward offspring of it’s own.  So, when Ivan sees Ruby  abused and made to perform for the mall audience several times a day he keeps his promise to Stella to protect Ruby.  Ivan finds a way for Ruby  to be moved to a zoo and by default he and Bob both find new homes as well.

In this fictional book Mack the owner of the mall who is driven by the mighty dollar lacks what all the other characters have and that is compassion.  The Stella has compassion because she remembers her own treatment and does not want history to repeat it’s self  in Ruby’s life. Bob and Ivan have  compassion most strongly  each other but also for Stella and Ruby.  Julia and George have compassion for the animals.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think children can learn a few valuable lessons from this story those are, do not tolerate animal cruelty and be kind to each other.