The One and Only Ivan 1

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Discussion Guide: The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate 

  1. Ivan explains that, although he is considered a wild animal, he has no anger. What causes Ivan to be so disconnected to his fierce nature?

(He has no one to protect. Protecting the group in the function of a gorilla’s fierceness)

  1. Stella can smell a new animal who is coming soon. Is she excited? 

(no, she does not wish this life on anyone)

  1. Can you think of another fiction story that teaches us about silverbacks? 

(the Legend of Tarzan)

  1. Jambo is a true story from 1986. Has there been any other incident of a young boy falling into a gorilla enclosure at a zoo?

(Yes, in 2016 a gorilla was shot and killed at a zoo after a 4 year-old accidentally fell in. Why 2 opposite outcomes? Jambo was calm and protective of the 5 year-old in 1986, while Harambe’s activity was being interpreted as aggressive and potentially threatening)

  1. What does the author hope to accomplish by writing from the animal point of view?

(to become compassionate towards animals in captivity)

  1. What promise does Ivan make to Stella on her deathbed? How does it create a change in Ivan?

(Ivan promises to rescue Ruby from this dreadful life of hopeless captivity. It stimulates his protective nature and motivates him to attempt a better life for himself, as well.

  1. Ivan compares human baby eyes to baby gorilla eyes: “…(too) big for their faces, and for the world.” What does this mean?

(perhaps it means that children are gullible and unprepared for life’s dark reality?)

  1. When Ivan decides that his billboard puzzle needs the word “home” do we think of another fiction story where a message is spelled out by an animal?

(Charlotte’s Web)

  1. When we think of Ivan being “the one and only”, does our perspective of that title change over the course of the story?

(Yes, eventually we let go of the glamorous meaning and begin to see it as complete isolation)

  1. What purpose does it serve to have Ivan verify that Ruby is now happily placed nearby at the zoo? 

(Closure. Now Ivan can live his life knowing that he made good on his promise to his “other family”)

Vocabulary list:

Nimbly – quick and light in motion

Addled – confused, unable to think clearly