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purplepenning's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Chockful of simple elephant wisdom that even kids without trunks can grasp. The One and Only Ruby is a beautiful little book about belonging, overcoming, finding family, growing up, telling riddles, getting giggles, stealing hats, giving pats, doing the floppy run, and playing in the mud. It covers tragedy and sadness and insecurity, but with such a sweet touch that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to kids as young as 8 or adults as old as 108. I've liked each of the books in this series more than the previous one and look forward to the final book coming in May 2024 — The One and Only Family.
Some favorite elephant wisdom:
Some favorite elephant wisdom:
A first friend is a true gift, because forever after, your heart knows what's possible.
I suppose that's one of the hardest parts of growing up … Realizing that grown-ups don't have all the answers. Realizing that the answers may have to come from you.
"The ones we love" says Aunt Akello, "live forever in our hearts."
We are not our best selves without kindness … We are not our best selves without wonder … We are not our best selves without courage … We are not our best selves without gratitude.
To be born elephant is a great gift. To be part of a herd is to be part of this beautiful world. But make no mistake: that does not mean you should blindly follow your herd. It does mean we must strive for connection despite our differences.
I am a ship that's built to ride the greatest waves … I'm not built with hammers. I'm built with hearts. What kind of ship am I? Friendship!
"Every day" says Aunt Akello, "pick a quiet time and ask yourself these two questions. 'What gifts did the world give you today? What gifts did you give the world?" … All at once I'm hearing Aunt Stella's voice, as if she's standing right there next to me, asking me, with different words, the same two questions: What amazed you today, little Ruby? What made you proud? I never lost her. She was here with me all along.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Confinement, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, and Animal cruelty
bmpicc's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Ruby is perfection...
“Morning is like a gift you get to open every single day.”
“A first friend is a true gift," because forever after, your heart knows what’s possible.”
"Realizing that grown-ups don't have all the answers. Realizing that the answers may have to come from you."
“Morning is like a gift you get to open every single day.”
“A first friend is a true gift," because forever after, your heart knows what’s possible.”
"Realizing that grown-ups don't have all the answers. Realizing that the answers may have to come from you."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
isabelle_mary's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
As a huge fan of the book, 'The One and Only Ivan' I was so happy to see that Katherine released not just a sequel but a third book as well. This lighthearted story shows how amazing the world can be along with how cruel it can be as well. Hearing Ruby's story was beautiful and sad, but made me love her even more. I will now not only continue to tell people to read 'The One and Only Ivan', but the next two books in the series as well.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
chrysanthxmum's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
whosbradpitt's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
bruhnette's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
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.
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Ruby's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
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