57 pages 1 hour read

Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Family

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2024

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Part 1, Chapters 1-28Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Wait”

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary: “Hello”

Ivan introduces himself as a gorilla who is about to become a father, adding that he’s “hoping it’s as easy as it looks” (3).

Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary: “A Dad Is a Dad Is a Dad”

Ivan isn’t worried about having a newborn, though he is concerned about two-year-olds. From his home in the zoo, he observes all kinds of creatures and has concluded that “whatever your species, there’s no force of nature more terrifying than a toddler tantrum” (4).

Part 1, Chapter 3 Summary: “Confident”

Despite his worries, Ivan is “confident [he] can manage a youngster” (5), believing that all he has to do is make rules that will then be followed.

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