But there is a curious duality here because we also see Ivan as a gorilla, too, and we come to care for him as an animal. This is, partly, because of his first person narration. Clearly, I have no way of knowing how gorillas would talk, so I am willing to suspend disbelief so long as the voice is distinct, engaging, and consistent–and I believe that this one is. Another factor here is that there is a more integrated cast of humans and animals here, so it does recall CHARLOTTE’S WEB in that respect. Not that it’s eligible for the Newbery, but did anybody ever read HALF BROTHER by Kenneth Oppel? I think it tried a similar approach from a different angle (i.e. more realism, less fantasy).

Sure there were some unbeliavable moments, but again–if you buy the whole construct at first, then who’s to say the animals won’t all be sold the same place? After all, after that depressing first chunk of the book, you do need a bit of a happy ending. I liked DaNae’s comparison between Ivan’s POV and a young reader’s.

Distinctive? yes. Enough? We’ll see.

I did believe that Ivan could put the pieces together to write a message. (Seemed much more believable than Charlotte, though I realize that’s a different thing.) He’d heard the message a million times. He was already painting. I wasn’t sure why he had to write it BIG, though.

I also was right with her in showing how and why Ivan’s attitude changed. He was resigned to his lot. She shows us, rather than simply tells us, Ivan beginning to care, in spite of himself.