Yeah...

I wasn't feeling One Amazing Elephant.  I was feeling some parts of it.  I liked the way in which the whole mother-daughter thing was addressed.  I just...I don't know.  It was a little too The One and Only Ivan for me.   I did like the alternating viewpoints, between the elephant and Lily but I think that one of the big reasons I like that was because the elephant's chapters were so short and I just wanted the book to move along quickly!  But I was reading this one and again, that is hard for me, so that probably took away a lot of my enjoyment of it.  I didn't like that the bad guys were all smokers.  I am not a smoker any more, but I do think that smokers get a bad rap.  I mean, smoking IS bad for one!  But not all smokers are evil.  In fact, I think all of the smokers I know are super kind people!  So it was hard to see that the bad guys were all smokers.  I just don't think this has Newbery power.  I would have given it 3 and 1/2 stars though, if 1/2 stars were allowed.

um yeah, it's sad!

 When I decided to read The Only and Only Ivan I asked my friend Dolores if the book was sad.  She said no!  She lied!  The book was super sad!  But how could I not think it would be sad because it is about one of those zoo-type attractions that don't care for their animals at all.  I mean, what was I thinking?!?!  Still, even though this was a tough-truth book was very beautiful and well worth the read and the sadness!  Ivan lives in a circus attraction off of a major highway with a stray dog, and an elephant named Stella.  He doesn't remember much about his life before captivity, but he does feel lonely sometimes.  Stella does remember her life before and longs to be free, but pretty much believes she never will be.  One day a baby elephant named Ruby comes to join the show.  Ruby is innocent and sweet and kind and Ivan and Stella are determined to help her not live the trapped life that they have.