AW

This is a children's book, which this not-even-close-to-childhood woman loved. It is a book of minimal words, which seems to be the way a gorilla would tell his tale, if he were to do so. Ivan is such a fantastic character, along with Bob the dog - his best buddy - and Ruby the baby elephant. It is a quick read, and profoundly moving.

I, of course, expected nothing less from K. A. Applegate. She is the co-author of Animorphs and married to author Michael Grant? I think that is a deadly combination. The book is written in poetic "chapters" that reminded me of Ellen Hopkin's works. Here is a sample: "Anger is precious. A silverback uses anger to maintain order and warns his troop of danger. When my father beats his chest, it was to say, Beware, listen, I am in charge. I am angry to protect you, because that is what I was born to do. Here is my domain, there is no one to protect." There were many passages like this throughout the book that made me felt an assortment of emotions. I felt Ivan's sadness and loneliness. His isolation from his kind and the naivety his human caretakers his given him. This book is a MUST READ for the old, young, young-at-heart, happy, sad, emotionless, and everyone in between. I cannot begin to put into words how I feel about this book. The above was an attempt but I think I did a pretty crappy job. Just read it, guys.

I always say I don't like novels in verse. The story of Ivan, a silverback kept on display in a mall, could not have been told in any other voice. Another reviewer likens this to Charlotte's Web. At first I bristled at the comparison, because nothing compares to Charlotte's Web. Ivan and Charlotte could be friends.

An incredible book. Moving, complex, beautifully written, elegiac and strong. The cover art looks cute. The writing is so good but not cute. Highly recommended by Gary Schmidt, Kathi Applet, Patricia MacLachlan.This is a cross over book -- adults will find a lot in the story for themselves. It reads in one sitting because each page has so few words on them. Do yourself a favor and read this now.

Consider this an animal book for those kids who don’t like animal books. There’s nothing twee or precious about it. Just good crisp writing, complex characters, and a story that will make animal rights activists out of the most lethargic of readers. Applegate has penned a real doozy of a book that speaks to the best and worst in all of us.