The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is the 2013 Newbery winner.  I read it in just over two hours this morning.  It is a story told from the point of view of a gorilla named Ivan.  He lives in a cage in a mall, with an elephant friend Stella, and a small dog named Bob.  When a baby elephant, named Ruby is brought to the mall, Ivan makes a promise to Stella that he now must find a way to keep.  But how will he help Ruby to live with other elephants, so that she will not become a solitary elephant, the way he is the one and only Ivan?  Loosely based on true events in the life of Ivan, a real shopping mall gorilla, this book brought me to tears.  It would make a great read aloud for teachers and should be on all students' "must read" list.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate is a RICBA nominee of 2014. Ivan is a gorilla that used to live in the wild with his family. Now, he lives in a mall with other animals. There are some sad parts with his best friend Stella. Stella is an elephant. I loved the ending and I think you will too!

I liked the part when Ivan lives in a house with Mac and his wife. I liked this part because it is funny when a gorilla lives in a house. This book reminds me of animals I see locked in cages. Kids bother them by scaring the animals and hurting them. It also reminds me of when people play with animals. This is a great book I recommend it to animal lovers.

Reviewed by: #hashtag

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up is more of young adult book, so I wouldn’t expect to find it in your elementary school library. But either way, the author Stuart Gibbs has written an amazingly interesting book.  Belly up is about Teddy Fizroy, a boy who lived in Africa.  Teddy has moved to Texas so his parents can be zookeepers at FunJungle, America’s newest theme park.  But when FunJungle mascot Henry the hippo goes belly up, suspicion rises.  Who did it?  Strange things have start to happen.  You won’t believe who did it. Belly Up is a very interesting book and exciting.  To me this is book is very different than anything I’ve ever read before.  I bet if you asked Teddy what the book's message is, he would say have many adventures.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery book.       

Reviewed by smoshyturtle118 

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman is a sequel to Swindle, which I know some of you enjoyed a couple of years ago in 2007.  Here's a link to listen to Korman talking about Swindle and how he became a writer http://www.gordonkorman.com/.  In Zoobreak, the same children continue to take matters into their own hands.  Griffin, the planner of the group, jumps into action when his friend Savannah, spots her missing monkey at a sleazy small animal zoo.  I love how Griffin breaks down their problems and plans a solution.  Except of course, it's not that easy because the problems keep multiplying.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro