Such a sweet, heart-wrenching story to round out this lovable trio! I truly loved Ruby's story - the tributes to Stella, her memories of her herd and her mother, and the humans that helped her along the way. Ruby's story is as important as Ivan's and Bob's, and will inspire readers to learn how they can help protect these majestic animals. I really loved getting to know the other elephants in her new herd as well. Another masterpiece from Katherine Applegate!

From author Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ruby introduces readers to a little elephant named Ruby. Ruby's tusk day is coming and she finds herself struggling to celebrate. While living in an animal sanctuary, Ruby recounts her story and struggle to friends, Ivan and Bob. Can she find acceptance of her past in order to enjoy this rite of passage? Or will she run away instead?

This is a sweet animal story geared toward middle grades 5-8th. Ruby is so precious and shares her feelings in an age appropriate way. I loved how she narrates her growth process and finally vocalizes what's really bothering her. It's a great model for young readers to identify their emotions as well. Katherine Applegate draws on her previous characters, Ivan and Bob, to establish a familiar context for readers as well. The story is written in sweet and approachable way, exposing readers to Ruby's plight without being too overwhelming. All in all, another win in the "One and Only" series.

*Disclaimer: I reieved a free copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Even though her aunties are excited, Ruby is dreading Tuskday because she associates tusks with the pain of hunters. So she tells her uncles (Bob and Ivan) about her life before, her life in Africa when she was happy and loved until hunters slaughtered her herd. After that, Ruby was rescued and cared for by a kind man, then captured again by greedy black-market animal traders and sent to the zoo in the mall, where they all met. Also, Ruby shares that she misses her beloved auntie Stella. Ruby’s new aunties help her to honor Stella, and it helps Ruby realizes that Stella was with her all along…and that she IS ready for the Tuskday growing up ceremony. Ruby’s story is heartbreaking because it’s close to the truth of how elephants are treated– hunted, abused, and separated from their families. Sad and beautifully written, this is a magnificent tribute to elephants and the youngest member of this multi-animal family.

"I kick the tree trunk with my right front foot. Gently, because trees are like quiet friends and you have to be kind to them."

The books in this series strike a balance between the gentle kindness towards living things such as young Ruby displays when kicking a tree during a difficult conversation and the harsher realities of a world where some people do not value (other than monetarily) the life of anything other than humans. The writing is done in a way that is also quiet and gentle with characters whose hearts are full of light, making the books ones my students enjoy even when opening their eyes to the fact that not everyone has the same fondness for nature and animals as they do.

<i>The One and Only Ruby</i> begins with illustrations of elephant body language and an Elephant Glossary (terms used in the book, such as "floppy-run" and "slapsplash"). Ruby now lives at Wildworld Zoological Park and Sanctuary. While the book focuses on Ruby and her herd, we do learn fairly early in the book that Ivan and Bob are still in her life. Much of the plot centers around Ruby's upcoming Tuskday and her reluctance about the day (those bad humans are part of the bad feelings) which is often seen as a great cause for celebration for other elephants. Readers also find out the story of how Ruby came to the mall where we first met her in <i>The One and Only Ivan</i> including what happened to her mother. We also get to learn more about Aunt Stella, including the two nightly questions she always posed to Ruby: What amazed you today? What made you proud today?

Although <i>The One and Only Ivan</i> remains my favorite of the three books so far, I enjoyed this one as well and know my students will appreciate it for years to come. I look forward to future books by Applegate.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

They say that an elephant has a great memory. Ruby shows us that in this book, as she tells her story of her what happened to her before she arrived at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.

Top Things to look forward to as you read this book:
* Elephants
* Growing Up
* Finding a Family

My children and I enjoyed this book. We felt a lot of emotions as Ruby shared her story with Ivan and Bob. What she went through in Africa and later when she arrived at the Mall. This novel was beautifully written. It touches on hard subjects like, poaching and drought conditions in Africa. But I feel that the way Katherine Applegate wrote it was appropriate for children.

Definitely a book we will add to our shelves with the other two books in this series. I hope it doesn't stop here with Ruby's story. My children and now I, can't get enough of these stories.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was another lovely story from Ivan’s world - this time from Ruby’s perspective. It was a little sad, and Bob is probably still my favorite narrator, but it was good!

Perfection. I love these characters so much, and this one did not disappoint! In this installment in the series, we get background about Ruby's life as she prepares for her Tuesday ceremony. This book was, like the others, completely heartwarming, touching, and wonderful. I will be recommending it to everyone!

This addition to the One and Only family of books is the story I didn't know I needed to hear. Ruby is anxious about getting her tusks, because tusks in the wild can get an elephant hurt. Ruby tells her story and some of Stella's as she comes to terms with getting older and being a part of a herd again.

I loved this book so much, and I know that my middle school students will, as well. I ordered multiple copies for our library and they were all immediately checked out and the hold list continues to grow.
The Only and Only Ruby has the same heart and wonderful characters that we've come to know from this series; I love that we get background into Ruby's birth and family. Get this book into the hands of any fans of The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob - they won't be disappointed!

My children adore this book series as well as other books by Applegate. They make for the perfect read aloud books. I find these sweet books are appropriate for kids of various ages as well as enjoyable for adults.

At first, I thought, “Hasn’t Katherine Applegate already told this story, in a way? How much more could there actually be to say about these characters?”

As it turns out, there’s a lot to say. And Katherine Applegate delivers it in her usual fashion, with whimsy and tact.

9/10

Thank you to NeGalley for the ARC of this fantastic story. This trilogy does not disappoint! If you fell in love with Ruby in The One and Only Ivan you will become her biggest fan in The One and Only Ruby. It is a story of love and friendship, of kindness and a reminder that we can keep our past with us even as we move forward. I read this in one sitting and my only complaint was that it ended. I wanted to keep reading and being a part of these character's lives. Please keep writing more about Ruby, Ivan and Bob!

The One and Only gang is back, this time with Ruby the elephant’s story. Born in Africa and snatched by humans, Ruby spent some of her childhood with Ivan, Stella, and Bob at the mall, but now she’s living with other elephants at the wildlife sanctuary. Ivan’s just over the wall and Bob comes to visit as often as he can. Ruby’s Tusk ceremony is coming up, and when her caretaker from the orphanage in Africa shows up, a flood of memories comes up for Ruby. Revisiting her past and facing her fears will help her move forward in her journey.

This book, like it’s two predecessors, was so cute! I love these books so much. My niece loves them, so I checked them out, too, and it was a good decision. This heartwarming story encourages readers to examine their own emotions (because it’s okay to feel all kinds of ways), shows the value of community and friendship, and shares fun facts and information along the way. It’s a good choice for grades 5 to 8, but as a fully grown adult, it’s an excellent choice for us, too!

Loved, loved, loved Ruby's story!! Be forewarned, bring tissues! Ruby's story is, unfortunately, well-known for far too many elephants. How Ruby lost her mom to poachers. Katherine Applegate, through Ruby telling her story to her family; Uncle Ivan and Uncle Bob, describes her life from birth to the present. It's not overly graphic in any way. Very kid friendly, in my opinion. I also loved the glossary at the beginning of the book to help readers with Ruby's sayings.

A great read-aloud for elementary and middle school classes. I suggest you read it alone first to get past all the ugly crying before reading it to your class. Nice short chapters that make this book even harder to put down! Ruby would pair well with a science unit on animal and elephant conservation. The author lists some organizations at the back of the book.

A must-have addition to all libraries, especially to complete the set of The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob.

@kaaauthor #OneAndOnlyRuby #KidLit #MGLit #SchoolLibraries #SchoolLibrarians #Read #Books #Elephants #OneAndOnlyIvan #OneAndOnlyBob

What a wonderful addition to this companion series by Katherine Applegate. I love the precocious elephant, Ruby. She has a spunky attitude and a big love for her "uncles" Ivan and Bob. But then in this story we get to hear her back story and how she landed at the mall from Africa. Elephants are known for having a great memory and Ruby certainly remembered her story. There were moments of joy mixed in with a heartbreaking story.

I love the writing, love the characters, love the book. I also appreciate the theme of being present in your day and having a sense of wonder and pride at the end of the day. What a lovely read.

Katherine Applegate is always a winner in my library! The One and Only Ruby matches the energy of the prior books and adds to the series in a satisfying way. thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I like this book. it's a sweet story about an elephant named Ruby who lives in a park with many other elephants, her"aunts". Ruby is nervous about her Tuskday, a ceremony in which the young elephants first get their tusks. Ruby is scared to get her tusks, and tells Ivan and Bob her story before she went to the park. This is the third book in the One and Only Ivan series. Although I do recommend reading the other books in the series, you don't really have to. I love how it shows the hunting from the elephant's perspective and honestly kind of makes me more aware. Very good book, I highly recommend. I think the only issue I had was that it was very short and sudden. Like almost immediately it was her Tuskday right after her story. Very good book overall. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

Ruby will sit snugly alongside her pals, Ivan and Bob. What a heartwarming story of Ruby, the elephant. My students loved the books about her two previous friends and this one does not disappoint.
It is heartwarming, sad and warm, all at the same time. Its a tale of friendship and loss The author did a beautiful job of conveying the lessons of life. What a joy to read!

🐘The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate🐘

“If anyone wants to know what elephants are like, they are like people, only more so.” - Pierre Corneille

I just love this series so much – it is truly a perfect middle grade book to teach kids but also for this animal-loving adult, just such an enjoyable and emotional look at these three unlikely friends – Ivan, Bob, & Ruby – and their journeys apart and now together.

I truly cannot say enough about how much I love these beautiful characters – as we learn about their backgrounds, we also see their personalities, kindness, love and also the injustices and inhumane ways that animals are still treated to this day.

Elephants have a very special place in my heart so getting to hear Ruby tell her story about her - at times sad – journey as well as the people and animals and family that help her along the way, just brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. I found myself back in the world of these unlikely friends in a way that made me not want to say goodbye.

I hope Applegate will continue to create more books in this series – I will absolutely read every one.

“A first friend is a true gift, because forever after, your heart know what’s possible.”
🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

The One and Only Ruby

By: Katherine Applegate

Publish Date:2 May 2023

Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, Harper Collins

Children’s Fiction/Middle Grade/Outdoor and Nature

#TheOneandOnlyRuby#NetGalley

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both Harper Collins and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

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.

Book Review:

I just love this series. I gave this book 5 stars. It was informative and just a delight to read. I am glad she decided to write a book on each of the characters from the first book The One and Only Ivan. Ruby is such a doll and even though she is still young she went through a lot. She is able to make friends easily and learn from everyone. She is afraid of her tusks because of what she saw with her mom and an elephant skeleton that she saw when she was with her herd. She wants to remember Stella but is afraid to say anything around Ivan because it causes Ivan pain. Stella was her foster mom when she was in the cage at the mall. As her tusk day comes closer, she tries to avoid getting ready by any means possible but of course the day arrives, and she panics. What does she do? Does she go through the ceremony? You will have to read the book to find out.