The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a sweet, well-written book. It features a gorilla who makes art (and throws his own scat) in a small cage in a run-down mall circus.

The story is told from Ivan’s point of view (Ivan is the gorilla). Instead of being disastrous, this choice is brilliant. The thoughts feel not-human, like they really could be from a gorilla. In this way, the book reminds me of Watership Down (a book I think I’d like to reread one of these days.)

In The One and Only Ivan, I also enjoyed the well-drawn characters and plot with significant stakes. Though the story has a definite moral, it doesn’t feel overly preachy. If you enjoy middle grade books and haven’t read this one yet, I’d recommend it.

This is an excellent book like other Newbery award winners I’ve reviewed. (Of those I’ve reviewed so far, Flora & Ulysses might be the one most similar to this one. Though, in a way, each book is entirely its own.)