Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal
A
shopping mall like no other... With a circus!
An
elephant, a dog, a parakeet and a gorilla who has spent 25 years of his life in
captivity!
That is what this story is about. Katherine Applegate brings to us a true story
of a male silverback gorilla who was taken thousands of miles away from his home
in the forests of Africa.
Narrated in first
person, Ivan tells us about his life in a glass cage, his friends, people
around him and humans who visit.
"I wish humans
could understand me the way I can understand them."
Ivan is observed and mocked by circus visitors who beat
their chests and expect him to do the same – behave like how they think
gorillas behave instead of just sitting and staring back at them.
"It's not as easy
as it looks."
Ivan’s glass domain has a tyre swing, a tiny plastic pool
and an old TV. One of the walls even depicts
a jungle scene. But that’s of no use for
it doesn’t give the sensation of a real jungle like the feel of a cool breeze, the warmth of the sun and the smell of the flowers.
But there are some things he does like about his life -
talking to Bob, the dog and Stella, the elephant, watching movies on TV and
drawing pictures!
His favorite human is Julia, the ten year old daughter of
the cleaner, who not only seems to understand him, but also inspires him as an
artist.
The arrival of Ruby, a baby elephant, is a significant
turning point in the story. Ruby is
insecure in her new home. An ailing Stella
helps her adapt and accept her new life.
Before she dies, Ivan promises her to take care of Ruby who is being
forcibly trained by Mack to perform tricks for the circus.
Ruby reminds Ivan of his childhood. Of life outside his glass 'domain'. But he is
so used to his captive life that he is unsure about going back to a life of
freedom in the forests.
Ivan doesn’t want Ruby to have the same life he did. He vows to take her back to freedom. Away from the hook, away from bondage. Back
to freedom. But how can a captive
gorilla help a baby elephant?
What does Ivan do? Will he succeed in helping Ruby get a
better life?
Will Ivan ever regain his own freedom?
I love this unique story with a non-human perspective of
humans. It brings to light the cruelty
imposed by humans on animals by unfairly caging and mistreating them for their
own benefit.
This story has a message - about preconceived notions about
animals, about perseverance and not giving up hope. A wonderful read for all animal-lovers!
"Humans waste
words. They toss them like banana peels
and leave them to rot."
This book is a must-read for everyone 10+. No more words to be wasted!
