The One and Only Ivan

Gryphons Mock Newbery September Book Club
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I decided to select this book for our Mock Newbery Book Club after hearing tons of buzz about it in the book community (i.e. teachers, librarians, publicists, etc). I have to admit I'm not a huge animal lover. I mean, we have a dog and I like her and all, but just in general not my thing. So after picking up a copy of The One and Only Ivan from The Booksellers at Laurelwood I put the copy on my nightstand where it sat ignored for a week or so. I finally decided to plunge in and read a couple of chapters each night for the first couple of days and then... It drew me in! Ivan, Stella, Bob.. you can't help beginning to care for these characters and find out what is going to happen to them. Are there sad parts? If you have read it you know there are, but you know what? Sometimes that's a good thing. I think in order to learn empathy for others it is important to read some things that may make us sad. Empathy boys and girls is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In other words it's not all about me!  Ivan and his friends live at the exit 8 big top mall. When a new baby elephant Ruby joins the group Ivan knows they need to find a way out, a way to a better life. For Ruby's sake...how can he do that you may think? He's just an ape at the exit 8 mall, but he is an Ape that knows there must be something better waiting for them in this world and it's up to him to find out what it is....
I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions below.

When have you experienced empathy for others? What examples of empathy can you think of in your community- our school, your neighborhood or family? What was it about Ivan's story
that was the most compelling to you?

Did you know that Ivan is based on a true story?
Check out the following link about the real Ivan:
http://theoneandonlyivan.com/ivan/