The One and Only Ruby

By Katherine Applegate

Part of the The One and Only Ivan series

A young elephant navigates her way through life, learning about her past, her family, and herself.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 10,929 ratings

210 pages· 20,552 words· Est. 3 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Ruby, a young elephant now living in a sanctuary, is visited by her former caretaker from Africa. This reunion stirs memories of her life before the circus, filled with both joy and sorrow. As she shares her past adventures with friends Ivan and Bob, Ruby embarks on a journey of self-discovery. What secrets will her memories reveal, and how will they change her path? Dive into a heartfelt tale of friendship, memory, and the ties that bind us across time and distance.

From the publisher

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+!

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