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Katherine Applegate

Odder, Reviewed by Madeline Male, 14

Odder always yearns to dive deeper and swim further. She is an otter whose curiosity and playfulness are captured in Odder, a book of free verse poetry by Katherine Applegate. The poems build on each other, telling a story that captivated me. Here is one excerpt from the book that describes Odder’s exuberance: Nobody has her moves. She loves to roughhouse, can be pushy and eager, too unruly for some, but watching her work the water is a joy.   This adventurous character makes Odder likable, but it also has a downside: when Odder ventures too far into the waters of Monterey Bay, she encounters a shark. For a portion of the book, Odder is healing at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. While this story is fiction, it was inspired by the stories of real life sea otters who have been rescued by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Applegate uses poetry to personify Odder and emphasize an array of emotions that can be strong, subtle, or anywhere in between. Odder’s character is portrayed in a way that caused me to care about and identify with her. She is put in circumstances where she feels the way a human might feel. Sometimes, she even reacts the way a human might react. By the end of the book, I realized that I’d actually ended up exploring human nature, but through otters! Throughout Odder, the medium of poetry is used to capture vivid imagistic details. For example, in this excerpt Applegate highlights Odder’s forepaws and flippers by describing them as: held aloft, soaking up sun like tiny solar panels. Then, the poem goes on to describe what Odder is holding: Tucked in a pocket of skin under her arm is a favorite rock, just right for opening mussels and clams.   With the help of these descriptions, I felt like I was with Odder everywhere she went. This book also includes facts, which are incorporated into some of the poems. This makes the facts more memorable and enjoyable. For example, a whole poem is dedicated to explaining that sea otters are a keystone species, which means they are essential for the survival of the ecosystem. Unfortunately, sea otters are also endangered. Applegate spreads awareness about the importance of otters in a way that is inspiring, rather than depressing. Overall, this book gives the reader plenty of opportunities to explore human nature, but through a different species: otters. It joyfully celebrates them, and deepens the reader’s appreciation for these fascinating creatures.   Odder by Katherine Applegate. Feiwel & Friends, 2022. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!

The One and Only Ivan: Take it … Or Toss it?

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan Ivan is a gorilla, and, as he lets us know pretty early on in the story, it’s not as easy as it looks. He has been living in a metal, glass, and concrete cage for 9,861 days. He has not seen another gorilla in decades. And, he has a past he would rather forget. Ivan’s only friends are Stella, a wise old elephant with a passion for stories and a love of the moon; Bob, a stray mutt, with a love of anything edible and a deep distrust of humans; and Julia, the janitor’s daughter, with a passion for art, just like Ivan. Ivan tries to ignore the way Mack, the owner of the mall and the man who raised Ivan in his own home, treats them all. Especially when a new baby elephant arrives to bring more crowds to the shopping mall and its small circus. When tragedy strikes and Ivan is left with a promise that will be impossible to keep, he begins to remember everything, and with his memories comes hope that maybe, there is a safer place beyond the bars of his cage, beyond Mack, beyond the billboard that brings people to the mall… beyond his wildest dreams. He made a promise, and a silverback never breaks their promises. But it will take all his friends to get there. It will take perseverance, passion, and… paint. Lots and lots of paints. This story is so well crafted, and every word seems to matter. It is such a reflection of the longing for freedom, with beautiful descriptions and clever lines that will instantly become your new favorite quotes. The novel is written entirely in verse, which only heightens the experience. This is a truly life-changing book. It is entrancing, magical. It is a must-read for everyone, young and old. So, as Ivan says, “Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot. Everyone knows the peels are the best part.” So, without further ado, and without wasting any more words, I give you the verdict. (You probably already knew where this was heading, but….) Take It … Or Toss It? TAKE IT!! This book, winner of the John Newbery award in 2013, is a must-read for kids of all ages, young and old, children and adults alike. Take Ivan’s advice: Don’t waste words. Or, in this case, time! Put The One and Only Ivan at the top of your reading list and find your next favorite book! And, if you love this, be sure to check out Katherine Applegate’s other books!   The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. HarperCollins, 2012. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!