This is Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan.  This story has been nominated for a Newberry medal!  WOW!

Reviews of The One and Only Ivan

 

Bulldog Readers Blog
http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/2012/02/02/the-one-and-only-ivan/ivan/

Common Sense Media
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/one-and-only-ivan

Indie Library
http://indielibrary.blogspot.ca/2012/09/book-review-one-and-only-ivan.html
 

Reading Rumpus Book Reviews
http://barb-middleton.blogspot.ca/2012/03/one-and-only-ivan-by-katherine.html​