This was another beautiful animal story from author Katherine Applegate.

I am a big fan of this series, and getting to hear Ruby's story was a joy.

Her prose is spot on as always, and we got to learn about the wonder that are elephants.

The overall story was not as strong as the first two books in this series, but it was still a beautiful read I would recommend for any animal lovers.

A beautiful addition to the series, The One and Only Ruby gives readers deeper insight and understanding of the oh-so-lovable character of Ruby. It’s something special to be able to go back to a character and learn more about them and their history. Her story is powerful and thought-provoking. Readers will not only be able to learn more about the circumstances of elephants, but also about themselves. Relatable on both the animal level and a human level. Applegate created characters that really do the message justice and keep readers wanting more of their adventures and experiences.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The One and Only Ivan" has been a favorite in our house for a few years now. We didn't read the "One and Only Bob" yet. I just learned a month or so ago that it even existed since it was not carried in our library. When I saw the One and Only Ruby on the NetGalley shelves, I knew we had to read it! I had concerns that by skipping the second book and reading them out of order that "...Ruby" wouldn't make sense, but Katherine Applegate did an amazing job not info dumping in the beginning but recapping the information throughout the narrative. Katherine Applegate truly is a gift as her writing is so poetic and lyrical and she doesn't fall into the trap of dumbing down the writing because children are the target audience.

"The One and Only Ruby" takes place in the Animal Sanctuary a few months after Ivan, Bob, and Ruby are taken from the Big Top Mall. Ruby is now growing up within a herd of Auntie elephants and preparing for her Tuskday, which is a coming of age ceremony that elephants celebrate. The anxiety of the event, and a visitor from her past, forces Ruby to finally share the early memories from her life in Africa to Ivan and Bob.

This story is so full of fun and yet so emotional at times. I was concerned that my youngest who is 8 would have issues with some of the heavier themes such as death, poaching, and violence against cute elephants, and while she had an emotional response, she did just fine.

Overall, "The One and Only Ruby" is a beautifully written story that will one day be a children's classic right up there with Charlotte's Web.

I love these books and so do my students. Well written and engaging! Well developed characters and story line throughout the three books.

This is the third book in The One and Only Ivan series and it was just as good as the first two. In this book, we learn Ruby's past and current history. Upon seeing a caretaker from Africa at her new home, Ruby is flooded with memories; both good and bad. She shares her story with Ivan and Bob, meanwhile being accepted in the herd with the celebration of Tuskday.

A wonderful story, beautifully told. Highly recommended.

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I heard that Ruby was getting her own book. I have fallen in love with each of the characters in this series. In The One and Only Ruby, Ruby is getting ready for her Tusk Day. It is a coming of age tradition that elephants go through, but Ruby is not excited because she doesn't like her tusks. We find out more through her flashbacks and her time in Africa. She has experienced her fair share of heartbreak. It was so fun to go back and see these characters again. I think readers will fall in love with Ruby's story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely adorable! My students and I have read The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob and I told them I was able to read The One and Only Ruby. They were so jealous. Katherine Applegate did it again. This book. is fantastic and I plan to use it in my classroom in the future.

Synopsis:
The One and Only Ruby begins a short time after the events of The One and Only Bob. This companion book is Ruby’s story of being born in Africa, losing her mother, being taken from her herd and eventually living in a wildlife sanctuary. One day, Ruby’s caretaker from Africa shows up to visit her in the sanctuary. After seeing him, she begins to have lots of memories. Some of the memories are sad but some are also very happy.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everyone should “floppy run” to get a copy of this book! What a wonderful addition to this series! This book is told from Ruby’s point of view which helps the reader remember just how little Ruby is. She not only shares her bittersweet story but also lots of interesting elephant facts.

This book is well suited for 9-12 year olds and anyone else who needs a heartwarming story of “framily”, compassion, and growth in their life.

The One and Only Ruby is funny, heartfelt, and full of cuteness! I highly recommend!

I’d like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

So excited to see Ruby again. I love all of Katherine Applegate's books and this one stars Ruby, my favorite character (her remarks are awesome) who is a young elephant and n awesome. This one is a great companion book to The One and Only Ivan. In this volume, we return to the Park (the home of many of our beloved characters) and Ruby must face a coming-of-age rite that has to do with her tusks, a painful moment for her physically and mentally as she embarks on a memory journey back to her past, with stories of her origin, mother, other friends... and fears that are associated with tusks and humans.
A great awareness story about the importance of protecting all animals. We learn a lot about elephant behavior done beautifully in Rubi's voice.
Short, sweet, and easy to read.

I loved the first two books: The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob. This book focuses on Ruby, the little elephant. She, Ivan, and Bob all live in a wildlife sanctuary now, instead of the mall. And Ruby is growing up; her tusks are coming in. We learn a lot about elephant behavior and how Ruby is doing in her new environment.

A must-read for fans of the other books!

Reading this book felt like healing my inner child. Like so many other people I know, I grew up reading Katherine Applegate's novels, and I was so excited to find out that she continued to put out more, even as I grew up and into older genres myself. Coming back to her work is inspiring and comforting, and I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

My kids loved Ivan’s story and Bob’s. I did too, but Ruby’s story…as a female, remembering how I “came of age” or how puberty was presented/described to me….it was way more impactful.

5 stars!

My kids loved The One and Only Ivan along with The One and Only Bob. We were so excited to get this one early! Thank you to Katherine Applegate and Netgalley for this ARC!

Ivan, Bob, and Ruby are now living in a wildlife sanctuary. This book is Ruby's story, and it is a beautiful ride. This story is about her journey in Africa with her mother. How she ended up in a circus, and how she was brave to fight on, leading her to where she is now.

Today, she is getting ready to celebrate Tuskday! She is a bit frightened and doesn't want to grow up. She has her reasoning, but she has a supportive family.

I loved this book so much. It breaks your heart but pulls every emotion back together. My kids are excited to read this book. I know they will feel the same way. The book not only lists the elephants vocabulary in the beginning of the book, but also teaches so much about the elephants to its readers. I love the littlest elephant Ruby! Thank you again to Netgalley for this ARC copy! Read this book, it is amazing!

My review is already posted to goodreads.

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.”

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

This book is all about Ruby, the littlest elephant. We see Ruby with her herd today as she prepares for her Tuskday. We also see her spending time with Ivan and Bob and opening up about her time in Africa and her time with Stella. This book was insightful, occasionally sad but hopeful. I also enjoyed how much it taught about elephant behavior. A wonderful addition to the series!

“The One and Only Ruby” is a middle grade novel by Katherine Applegate. It will be released on May 1, 2023. And yes, I preordered this book months ago.

I received an eARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books.

This story is about sweet Ruby. Just like the preceding books of “The One and Only Ivan” and “The One and Only Bob”, the story of Ruby does not disappoint. It was like catching up with an old friend. Comfortable. Joyous. This book allows readers to learn about Ruby’s back story, the interactions that Ruby had with Stella, and shift into the present and get to know Ruby with her herd.

I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers. I simply think everyone should discover Katherine Applegate because her books are a treasures..

Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ruby tells the story of our favorite elephant who is about to be honored on her Tuskday. She is not looking forward to the celebration because she has seen how tusks can make elephants vulnerable. With the kindness and wisdom of her elephant aunts and her chosen family - the one and only Ivan and Bob - Ruby is able to navigate the rite of passage with her signature grace and humor.

I will definitely be adding this to my classroom library. Its messages about loyalty, friendship and bravery are timeless and it provides an honest look at the treatment of elephants in our world. Ruby is told to ask herself, "What gifts did the world give you today? What gifts did you give the world?" If we all asked ourselves those questions every day, our world would be a better place.