Nene Award
2016 · Children's Fiction · Nominee
About This Book
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Series Placement
Awards
North Carolina Children's Book Award
2016 · Junior Book · Nominee
Nutmeg Book Award
2016 · Intermediate · Nominee
Grand Canyon Reader Award
2015 · Intermediate · Nominee
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award
2015 · Grades 3-5 · Nominee
Massachusetts Children's Book Award
2015 · Children's Book · Nominee
Nene Award
2015 · Children's Fiction · Nominee
Nene Award
2015 · Children's Fiction · Runner-Up
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award
2015 · Grades 4-8 · Second Place
Sequoyah Book Award
2015 · Children's · Nominee
Sequoyah Book Award
2015 · Children's · Winner
Young Reader's Choice Award
2015 · Junior/Grades 4-6 · Nominee
Bluebonnet Award
2014 · Children's · Nominee
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award
2014 · Grades 4-6 · Honor Book
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award
2014 · Grades 4-6 · Nominee
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
2014 · Children's · Nominee
Golden Archer Award
2014 · Intermediate · Nominee
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
2014 · Grades 3-5 · Nominee
Maine Student Book Award
2014 · Grades 4-8 · Third Place
Nene Award
2014 · Children's Fiction · Nominee
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award
2014 · Grades 3-6 · Winner
Rhode Island Children's Book Award
2014 · Grades 3-6 · Nominee
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
2014 · Grades 3-5 · Nominee
Virginia Readers Choice Award
2014 · Elementary · Winner
Volunteer State Book Award
2014 · Intermediate · Nominee
West Virginia Children's Book Award
2014 · Children's · Nominee
Black-Eyed Susan Award
2013 · Grades 6-9 · Nominee
Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
2013 · Ten to Fourteen · Recommended
Christopher Award
2013 · Books for Young People · Winner
E.B. White Read Aloud Award
2013 · Middle Readers · Finalist
Flicker Tale Children's Book Award
2013 · Intermediate · Winner
Newbery Medal
2013 · Children's · Winner
Cybils
2012 · Fantasy/Sci-Fi/ELM/Midgr · Finalist
Great Stone Face Book Award
2012 · Grades 4-6 · Nominee
Genres & Themes
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