The One and Only Ivan

About this book

Ivan, a silverback gorilla, lives in a mall enclosure with an elephant and a stray dog. Inspired by a real captive gorilla at a Tacoma mall, Applegate's 2013 Newbery Medal winner is a fixture of 3-5 grade read-alouds and a near-default text for empathy + animal-welfare units.

Where this book is assigned

• Common Core State Standards (ELA)

  • recommended· 3rd gradesource: CCSS ELA grades 2-3 Newbery Medal 2013
  • recommended· 4th gradesource: CCSS ELA grades 4-5 Newbery Medal animal fiction
  • recommended· 4th grade · Washingtonsource: WA OSPI grade 4 — Tacoma-set Newbery winner
  • recommended· 5th gradesource: CCSS ELA grades 4-5 read-aloud exemplar

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  The Diary of a Young Girl
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Common questions

What grade level is The One and Only Ivan?

The One and Only Ivan is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–7, with a Lexile measure of 570L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

What is the Lexile level of The One and Only Ivan?

The One and Only Ivan has a Lexile measure of 570L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

What curricula assign The One and Only Ivan?

The One and Only Ivan appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The One and Only Ivan banned in schools?

The One and Only Ivan does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.

What themes does The One and Only Ivan explore?

Central themes in The One and Only Ivan include animal welfare, captivity and freedom, friendship across species, empathy, art and storytelling. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.