Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2024
Series: The One and Only #4
Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade
Audience: Grades 3 to 6
Content Warnings: Animals talking, death
Goodreads Link: The One and Only Family
Publisher’s Summary:
For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan , a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby . Powerhouse author Katherine Applegate invites readers back into Ivan’s world for one last adventure—his most exciting yet. Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family! Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he can’t help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle—and his own twin. In the tradition of timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little , the one and only Katherine Applegate has crafted a poignant, delightful, heartbreaking, unforgettable final foray into the world of Ivan, the world’s favorite silverback.
Review:
Ivan is a silverback who had a traumatic childhood, which has shaped who he is as an adult. From losing his twin sister to being shipped from Africa and being in a circus, Ivan is struggling to figure out who he is as an adult and a soon to be father. His instincts tell him to protect his family, but his family does not need much protecting when living in a zoo. Thankfully he has his friends to guide him through the adventures.
With the format of the writing, it was a quick read for an adult. The short chapters are appealing to a young author and the different sections prepare the reader as to what is coming next. As an adult, I was drawn to finish Ivan’s story, but the story fills in gaps for a reader that did not read the previous books.
I could see a few different activities that could be done with this book and tying it to the previous books. Ivan’s character has changed and grown throughout all the books but a little in this one book too. Students could discuss how he has changed and use events in the story to prove he has changed.
