Growing Up & Facts of Life
![Katherine A. Applegate - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B000AQ1MD8.jpg)
The One and Only Ruby (One and Only Ivan)
From beloved powerhouse author Katherine Applegate comes The One and Only Ruby, starring the adorable baby elephant from the Newbery Medal-winning modern classic The One and Only Ivan and its bestselling sequel, The One and Only Bob.
Ruby's story picks up a few months after the events of The One and Only Bob. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, Ruby's caretaker from the elephant orphanage in Africa where she grew up is visiting. Seeing him again brings back a flood of memories both happy and sad of her life before the circus, and she recounts the time she spent in the African savannah to Ivan and Bob.
In the timeless way that only Katherine Applegate could craft, this highly anticipated novel in verse is the perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous, poignant and sweet. Artist Patricia Castelao returns to the world of Ivan and his friends with gorgeous black-and-white interior illustrations to complete the story.
The One and Only Ruby features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 8, for independent reading, homeschooling, and sharing in the classroom.
Don't miss the film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan, now streaming on Disney+!
Ruby's story picks up a few months after the events of The One and Only Bob. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, Ruby's caretaker from the elephant orphanage in Africa where she grew up is visiting. Seeing him again brings back a flood of memories both happy and sad of her life before the circus, and she recounts the time she spent in the African savannah to Ivan and Bob.
In the timeless way that only Katherine Applegate could craft, this highly anticipated novel in verse is the perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous, poignant and sweet. Artist Patricia Castelao returns to the world of Ivan and his friends with gorgeous black-and-white interior illustrations to complete the story.
The One and Only Ruby features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 8, for independent reading, homeschooling, and sharing in the classroom.
Don't miss the film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan, now streaming on Disney+!
Editorial Reviews
"The story leads readers to ponder the ecological devastation of the ivory trade, the difficulties of being torn from your homeland at an early age, and the horrors of many circuses and zoos. But countering that is also the joy of friendship, humans' kindness toward animals, and the joy of just being a kid.... For fans of Ivan as well as animals in general, this is a special sequel." - Booklist (starred review)
"Applegate yet again shows her ability to explore grief and its lifelong ripples with a subtle tenderness. The direct narrative tone gives depth to her personality: Ruby can be as mischievous and playful as she is stubborn and sometimes angry. Ivan, Bob, and Ruby all share terrible experiences at the hands of ignorant and even cruel humans, and while Applegate shows their current caretakers as compassionate people, she never offers redemption to those that hurt the friends and acknowledges the traumas that will stay with the trio for a long time." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Ruby's playful yet sage voice traces the events that brought her from her unspecified African savanna home to the mall where she and Ivan previously lived, and, at last, to the sanctuary. With her trademark blend of frankness and hope, Applegate details dire circumstances facing elephants in the wild, including climate change and poaching, while elucidating their fierce loyalty and highlighting, via the three protagonists' unforgettable bond, myriad interspecies relationships." - Publishers Weekly
"An elephant glossary and Castelao's charming, illustrated guide to elephant body language help immerse readers in Ruby's world. Goofy, playful, and mischievous Ruby is fully dimensional, as she has shown her bravery during the many hardships of her young life. Applegate deftly tempers themes of grief and loss with compassion and humor as Ruby finds her place in the herd.... Certain to steal hearts." - Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR The One and Only Bob: "Good dog Bob. Great to have a best friend." - Danny DeVito
"Bob proves to everyone (and finally himself) that there is a big heart in that tiny chest…and a brave one too. Applegate picks up where her Newbery Medal winner left off, and fans will be overjoyed to ride along in the head of lovable, self-deprecating Bob on his storm-tossed adventure. His wry doggy observations and attitude are pitch perfect." -
"Applegate yet again shows her ability to explore grief and its lifelong ripples with a subtle tenderness. The direct narrative tone gives depth to her personality: Ruby can be as mischievous and playful as she is stubborn and sometimes angry. Ivan, Bob, and Ruby all share terrible experiences at the hands of ignorant and even cruel humans, and while Applegate shows their current caretakers as compassionate people, she never offers redemption to those that hurt the friends and acknowledges the traumas that will stay with the trio for a long time." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Ruby's playful yet sage voice traces the events that brought her from her unspecified African savanna home to the mall where she and Ivan previously lived, and, at last, to the sanctuary. With her trademark blend of frankness and hope, Applegate details dire circumstances facing elephants in the wild, including climate change and poaching, while elucidating their fierce loyalty and highlighting, via the three protagonists' unforgettable bond, myriad interspecies relationships." - Publishers Weekly
"An elephant glossary and Castelao's charming, illustrated guide to elephant body language help immerse readers in Ruby's world. Goofy, playful, and mischievous Ruby is fully dimensional, as she has shown her bravery during the many hardships of her young life. Applegate deftly tempers themes of grief and loss with compassion and humor as Ruby finds her place in the herd.... Certain to steal hearts." - Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR The One and Only Bob: "Good dog Bob. Great to have a best friend." - Danny DeVito
"Bob proves to everyone (and finally himself) that there is a big heart in that tiny chest…and a brave one too. Applegate picks up where her Newbery Medal winner left off, and fans will be overjoyed to ride along in the head of lovable, self-deprecating Bob on his storm-tossed adventure. His wry doggy observations and attitude are pitch perfect." -
Readers Top Reviews
This was such a beautiful story. Although I haven't read the first two books in the series, I absolutely loved this book and didn't feel like I missed any key information from the previous books. I loved Ruby's story, and there were a few moments when my heart broke for Ruby and her family and friends. I definitely plan on reading the first two books in the series.
Lee
In this heartfelt novel in verse book 3 of The One and Only Ivan series, Ruby remembers her time in the African savannah with Ivan and Bob when her caretaker comes visiting the wildlife sanctuary where she lives now. Ruby has quite the sense of humor and has to prepare a speech for her tusk ceremony now that they’ve grown in. Ruby is not looking forward to giving the speech, but as she remembers her time in the savannah it gives her ideas as to what to say and she remembers being told, “ in Africa an elephant alive is not an elephant for long.”
readin_robinLee
Katherine Applegate is back with another sweet tale about the delightful characters many of us fell in love with when we read The One on Only Ivan. This time, it's Ruby the baby elephant's turn to share her story. What a story it is! Ruby's young life has been filled with loss but she has been lucky enough to also find friendship and love. This is a delightful story about found family that also gently teaches about poaching and gives readers tons of facts about elephants. Grab this one and add it to your collection. It's not just for kids! It will warm the hearts of readers of all ages. Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Ruby's story.
JFrankieLindsay D
Cute meaning of finding your support system, but VERY disappointed. Slow moving, kind of boring, nothing like the other 2. Mostly filled with comments of human cruelty - which I agree is a problem, but I read children’s books to escape real life. I’m left feeling like I just wasted a couple hours of my life reading what could have been done in 20 pages.
Amanda GoldbrandA
My son and I are very excited to read this book once we have finished the other two. I was disappointed to buy a brand new book and it show up with boogers or something gross on the side.
