Newbery Books discussion

We'll have discussion on the 2013 Newbery Award Medal Winner beginning June 1.

I'll be interested to see what everyone has to say about this book.

I have a question for everyone - would we rather have our discussion threads become open threads during the moth we are reading the book, or wait until the end and begin discussion the first of the next month. (This way if you haven't read the book you should not read the thread so you can avoid spoilers.)

Sometimes it can be hard to remember to come back for a discussion if you've finished a book a few weeks ago. It is easier to write your thoughts and discuss as soon as you finish reading.

Feedback?

Kristine wrote: "I have a question for everyone - would we rather have our discussion threads become open threads during the moth we are reading the book, or wait until the end and begin discussion the first of the..."

I can usually remember not to read the posts until I have finished the book because the spoilers can be frustrating. Although, down side to waiting until the end of the month is the discussion is mostly over. Whatever, the group decides is fine with me.

I would prefer to discuss as soon as I finish and have the thread go through the month. Although I have been too busy to participate thus far, I will be open to start participating in just a week or so.

Having the thread go through the month sounds fine to me, too.

Me three!

Excellent! Lets go ahead and start our one and only discussion now. I like the idea, too!

What a delightful experience reading this book was. I don't usually like books with an animal as narrator, but I laughed and cried as Ivan, the mighty silverback at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, told his story of friendship and hope. Of course it was actually Katherine Applegate and thus I want to read more of her books.
I was a little bit daunted when I picked up this book of 300 pages but the large font and double spacing between paragraphs allowed me to happily read in bed by flashlight...just like a kid. I called my daughter and asked if I could read the book on skype to my 5 year old granddaughter. It was a busy two weeks but in three hour long sessions we did it. That last hour was tough. I couldn't read aloud without choking up.

I had mixed feelings about the book.

I liked it because it could actually be read by elementary kids. The last few Newbery winners were more for middle school readers. (Even though it does deal with animal abuse, I don't think it's over the top.) The writing was beautiful, almost lyrical, and it was pretty easy to follow.

However, I thought it was a little slow. It felt, to me, like it took a long time for the story to really begin. I've given it to several students in my fourth grade class to read, and everyone ends up putting it down after about 50 pages. I think like a fourth grader when I read kids' books and I needed more.

Bob, the dog, was my favorite character and more of him and his storyline would have added to the story, especially at the end.

There isn't a lot that happens in this book. It's built less on plot and more on characterization. I liked how the characters weren't one dimensional, the chapter that had the flashback of Ivan growing up with the zookeeper added a lot of depth. Plot wise it was basic and the art resolution a little cheesy, BUT the characters shined through.

While this book wasn't my favorite of the year, I was okay with it winning. I did feel that it was distinguished. After I finished reading it my first response was to marvel at what Applegate said in so few words. In a world where books are getting bigger and more long winded, I appreciated the conciseness. It isn't easy to tell a story in few words.

That's a very good point. Authors seem to think more is more nowadays, and it isn't. I was attending a panel where Cornelia Funke was a guest author and she said her fans just want more, more, more pages! I, of course, didn't say anything, but wanted to tell her the average reader doesn't want more, more, more!

Finally, a recent Newbery winner that is really written for children! I haven't liked the winners for several years, so reading Ivan was a pleasure. I really liked the writing style and I appreciated that it mirrored Ivan's personality. He said that he didn't like to talk all the time, so the short book length and concise word choice was fitting. When you have to choose only a few words, you can be precise and perfect. I thought the writing was lovely.

I also appreciated the characters. Each character had appeal. The reader even feels a little sympathy for the owner of the mall once we understand his history. Bob the dog was awesome, and I agree with Melissa that I would have liked to see more of him. I was glad to read his happy ending.

I liked the way that even when the book was sad, the author told the story in a matter-of-fact way from the animal viewpoint. That technique kept it from becoming too sad or too painful, even though the subject matter was serious or even tragic. It appealed to me more because I didn't get bogged down in sadness. I think it also appeals more to children this way.

I had one quibble with the plot. I think it would have been simpler and more natural for Ivan to leave his picture spread out across the floor of his cage for the girl to see instead of stuffing the pages through the bars and expecting her to be able to puzzle it out. After she sees it, then he could give her the pages. What do other group members think? Obviously, some suspension of disbelief is required in reading this story, but I think the story should be strengthened by as many believable details as possible, especially at that pivotal point in the plot. The fact that there is a real gorilla who makes pictures is nice.

I rejoiced in the happy ending and I liked the fierce but fascinating female gorilla. Ruby was sweet, too, and I loved the way Ivan was able to see her on the TV. Like Kathy, I feel that The One and Only Ivan is a book I want to read aloud to my family.