The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Bob's Booktalks

Captivated audience

The wonderful Bob Docherty, visited Bluestone on Friday to work his magic on our students by introducing them to the very best books for children and young adults.  Bob is so good at this that the students are begging for the books and finding it hard to wait for them to arrive.  The most popular request so far is for a book called Wonder by RJ Palacio.  Mrs Ross has managed to borrow a copy from the public library and is enjoying the story.  It's written with quite short chapters and is easy to read.  The main character is August, a boy with a severe facial disfigurement who is sent to school at the age of ten.  The story also allows us to get to know his sister Olivia who has had to put up with quite a lot having a brother like Auggie.

Reading to Creative Creatures

Bob with Team Explorer

Selling a story to High Fliers

Think Tank students engrossed

Thanks to Bob we have some great new books to enjoy.