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.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the story of Ruby, a young elephant who previously had lived in the mall with Ivan, Bob, and her her favorite friend, another elephant named Stella. Now she, along with Ivan and Bob, are cared for at a zoo. Ruby is growing up, and her aunts are planning her Tuskday to celebrate the arrival of her tusks, but how can she tolerate what has caused so much destruction?

Finally we get to hear all of Ruby's story and let me tell you, it is a tearjerker but, like the other two books [that are also excellent], it ends with hope. And love. And caring. And a family that may not look like what we deem is family, but absolutely works for Ruby, Bob, and Ivan.

I have loved these books so much and am so glad that I finally read them - they are great books to read and to have talks about - much as the author says at the end of this book, animal cruelty abounds, poaching is still a HUGE problem and there are now so many animals on the endangered species list, that we need, now more than ever, safe sanctuaries and yes, GOOD zoo's that not only save these animals, but rehabilitate them and re-release them into the wild when possible. These are important talks that we ALL need to have and the younger the better as it will be the future generations that will have to pick up after all of us [who believe in saving not only endangered species, but ALL animals] are gone.

Well done book! So glad that 1. Ruby got her own story and 2. that I got to read it. It was just what I needed!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao - Illustrator, and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Book three in the "One and Only" series follows Ruby the Elephant. We are introduced to her back story and the belief that you can be no one without your circle of family and friends.

I enjoyed hearing Ruby's story, but I wasn't sure it was quite as good as the other two. I would still recommend reading it in order to get the whole story of the three characters. It's good to read them in order, too, since the present time story lines build on each other.

What an amazing addition to the stories of Ivan and Bob! Apple gate has such a unique ability to tell stories from nonhuman narrators, and to do it WELL. This was a lovely exploration of Ruby’s journey to the zoo, and what her new family is like now. This will be a huge hit with middle grade readers.

What a beautifully written heartwarming story! This book should be in all school library's. Ruby's story will touch your heart and soul and stay with you long after you turn the last page. It's a wonderful book you don't want to miss. I received a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Children's Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

So incredibly lovely! After reading Ivan and Bob, I was thrilled to get this extension into Ruby's life, thoughts, and feelings. Fans deserved this glimpse into her world, and she earned the time in the spotlight. Only Applegate could tug at my heartstrings while making me smile life this! This would make a wonderful addition to any children's library and would make a fantastic classroom read-aloud. I can't recommend this one enough!

I loved “The One and Only Ivan” and cried reading it to 4th graders. I love visiting old characters from the new perspective of Ruby. The book was sweet as we learned how Ruby got to the Zoo and then what her herd is like today. It was awesome to include so many important facts about poachers, tusks and ivory.

I have read and loved the previous two books (The One and Only Ivan, The One and Only Bob), and I was really looking forward to reading this book. It didn't disappoint! I really appreciate how the author approaches the issue of poaching and illegal activities around elephant tusks- and how this affects Ruby's perspectives on her tusk day. The way the story was told was moving, including the role the older elephants (Aunt Akello, Stella) play in the narrative.

Classroom use: I think this book would be an amazing resource to talk about endangered animal issues, climate change (how drought etc affects the elephant herds and other animals), AND also about our values (the lode stars of the elephants woven throughout the book)

(Received the ARC from Netgalley)

The third book in the One and Only series is focused on Ruby’s stories about her time in Africa. As always, Ivan, Bob, and Ruby’s bond captivated my family’s attention.

If you are a Katherine Applegate lover, this book does not disappoint. Once again, Applegate makes our list of best middle-grade books of 2023!

Another winner from Katherine Applegate. I love how she's exploring the other characters from The One and Only Ivan and giving us their backstories. This one, which focuses on baby elephant, Ruby, shows that she's experienced a lot more in her young life than she should have. It has the same quick pace as the previous two books, and the free verse style, which makes it a quick and easy read. It also includes snippets and scenes with both Ivan and Bob, which help to keep this story tied together with the previous two. All in all, it is a great addition to the "one and only" series. Perhaps a story about Stella is next??