“Secondary” Character Saturday: Ivan, The One and Only

I’m breaking the rules today to bring bring you a PRIMARY character. A Primary PRIMATE in fact, The one and only IVAN!

[All Images from The One and Only Ivan]

FROM: The One and Only Ivan

BY: Katherine Applegate, Illustrations by: Patricia Castelao

PUBLISHED:  2012

Cover of the audio book for the One and Only Ivan. Click HERE to find the book on Amazon.com

PROS: Ivan is kind, caring, compassionate, understanding, a great artist, patient, thoughtful, brave and creative.

CONS: He gets frustrated at himself and his situation. He doubts himself.

QUOTE: “I am Ivan. I am a Gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks.”

[All images from The One and Only Ivan]

LEAST SHINING MOMENT: Ivan is a pretty special guy. It is tough to think of “least” shining moment for him, but I guess, if pressed, I’d say it would be his moments of self doubt.

WHY I CHOSE THIS CHARACTER: This book is absolutely amazing. Ivan isn’t just a good character, he’s a good role model. I WANT to be more like Ivan!

I can’t remember who recommended it to me, but I put it on my Kindle and when it came up in rotation I was completely entranced. Officially this Newbery Award winner is for 9 to 12 year olds, but ever since I had the good fortune to moderate a book club for teens and tweens (several years ago) I have not been bashful about reading good literature for any age. And this is one of the best “Kids” books I’ve read in a long time. It had me sighing and laughing out loud. And it had me crying more than once.