How to use this Page

The One and Only Ivan is a bestselling novel about hope and friendship. It was inspired by a real silverback gorilla named Ivan who was held captive for 27 years.

Most people have at least one dream in their lives. Dreams are important because they allow individuals to explore different avenues towards success. Making dreams come true is the final goal at the end of a person’s journey.  Santiago the Dreamer in Land Among the Stars is written by international pop star Ricky Martin and gorgeously illustrated by Patricia Castelao.

Santiago’s dream is to perform on stage. The school opens auditions for the lead part in the annual play. Santiago learns all his lines, but he is so nervous that his voice cracks. The children watching the audition laugh, and Santiago leaves the stage quite sad. Santiago shares the unfortunate experience about his audition with his father. His father with a tender voice and a big smile said, ˈNever give up. You can do anything you dream of, as long as you do it with love. And, no matter what you choose, always reach for the moon!ˈ Santiago realizes that the most important thing to do in order to reach any dream is not to quit and believe in one’s self. Santiago also dreams about becoming: a teacher, a pilot, a doctor, an astronaut, a paleontologist, and a baseball player. But Santiago’s biggest dream is to perform in a famous theater, so he practices daily to improve his voice, dancing, acting, and singing skills to become a star.

After practicing for weeks, the lead actor of the annual play lost his voice. Santiago knows that this is a one-of-a kind opportunity, so without thinking it twice, he approached the director to take the leading role. This time Santiago is ready, he puts all his effort and love to offer a great show to the entire audience in the school auditorium. Santiago’s father is amazed for his son’s extraordinary performance. Santiago tells his father that his encouraging words motivated him to pursue his dream until he was able to reach the moon and be among the stars.

Reading helps achieve dreams. Never give up, keep trying and trying until you reach the moon and the stars. Visit the nearest library to continue exploring new adventures. ¡Hasta pronto!

‪#‎WeNeedDiverseBooks‬

The One and Only Ivan
By Katherine Applegate
Illustrated by Patricia Castelao
Harper Collins
$16.99
ISBN: 9780-06-199225-4
Ages 9-12
On shelves now

All right, the topic is Famous Ape Books of Children’s Literature. And . . . go. Care to name any? Well there’s Curious George, of course (often mistakenly called a monkey in spite of his lack of tail). He’s the most famous but after that it gets harder. Eva by Peter Dickinson might count (also a chimp). Or a book like Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby (chimp). Gorillas appear to be much rarer, which is funny when you consider it. I would think an animal as big and impressive as a gorilla would be a no brainer children’s book hero. As it happens, Ivan of The One and Only Ivan is a rarity, and not just because his story covers ground that few other books have (with the exception of the odd Good Night Gorilla). Katherine Applegate’s title is a cry for animal rights that works on its reader in slow subtle steps. You will find no screeds or speeches or long lengthy lamentations. Instead, it’s just a gorilla living what life he can, until the day he can stay silent no longer. Thanks to its restraint the book ends up being a gem. One of the best of the year, no doubt.

Basically what we have here is Charlotte’s Web if you took that tiny spider and replaced her with a 300-pound gorilla. Which, to be frank, would normally bode badly for said gorilla. And certainly badly is how Ivan, the titular hero of this tale, bodes when you consider that he is trapped in an off-highway mall circus. Ivan’s never questioned his fate seriously, considering that he’s been there for twenty-seven years. Then one day Mack, the owner of the mall, decides that the only way to drum up more business will be to buy a new resident. There’s already Ivan and Stella, the elephant with an injured foot that doesn’t seem to be getting better. To this mix comes Ruby, a baby elephant not long captured from her home in the wild. Thanks to Ruby, Ivan sees that this is no place for a baby of any sort and he must use all his brains and intelligence to find a way to save not just her but himself as well.

It is the temptation of every author, bad or good, to simplify ethics when they write for kids. Bad guys are bad, good guys are good, and never the twain shall meet. This is particularly true of animal abuse stories. After all, who wants to go about digging up a heart of gold in a character that kicks puppies? Yet the best books for kids are often the ones that allow for at least a glimpse of the human inside the villain. It’s the reason Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s 6 Comments on Review of the Day: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, last added: 3/7/2012