15. The One and Only Ruby

The One and Only Ruby (The One and Only Ivan #3) Katherine Applegate. 2023. [May] 240 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Nobody ever listens to the littlest elephant. And around here, the littlest elephant is me. 

Premise/plot: Ruby has starred in The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob. It is only fair that this 'littlest elephant' gets a chance to tell her own story. 

Ruby is getting her tusks and the elephant herd wants to celebrate the occasion. But Ruby is reluctant. She is not happy about her tusks, and the idea of celebrating something she hates about herself, well, it's overwhelming. 

Ruby is surrounded by those who love, love, love, love, love, love, love her. She is supported. 

In this book, she tells her story. She shares memories of Stella. She shares memories of her time in Africa. There are so many flashbacks. Many chapters are just Ruby talking while Ivan and Bob occasionally are referenced as listening or gently asking questions. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed reading The One and Only Ruby. I can honestly say that all three books in this series are unique. You might think, well, they are all in the same series. Yes, they're in the same series, but the tone and voice, the plot and pacing--each book is so unique.

The One and Only Ruby is very reflective. Perhaps this isn't surprising. After all, elephants never forget, right? They have amazing memories. Ruby has been shaped by her memories. And while she's struggling with her reluctance to celebrate her tusks--and finding the teasing unbearable--her memories are helping her. 

Friendship and found families are strong themes in this one. (Though I might be misusing the word 'theme'.)

Quotes:

An elephant matriarch is like a teacher and a counselor and a rescuer and a yeller and a helper and a nudger and a guider all rolled into one. I hope she isn't mad. I really do try to listen to the grown-ups, but every now and then my ears misbehave.

"Don't think too hard about the words," she says, "Just feel them." "But words aren't for feeling," I say. "Words are for hearing and saying and maybe singing. Also yelling and whispering and--"

Anything can be amazing, Ruby. Anything and everything. ~ Stella

"You can't run away from growing up," she says. "That's a race you will not win, my friend." ~ Aunt Zaina

"A first friend is a true gift, because forever after, your heart knows what's possible."

"A sentinel is someone who looks out for you. It can be someone who's part of your herd, of course, but it could be anyone. Sentinels can be your caretakers or your friends or your teachers or your neighbors. They look out for you. They understand you. They help you."

I looked at Uncle Ivan and Uncle Bob. My eyes were hot with tears. "You," I said. "You are my sentinels." I sniffled a little. "I'm a very lucky elephant."

"Then why should I celebrate having tusks? Why should I be excited about something people want to kill me over?" I cry.

"We are not our best selves without kindness." The other aunts respond, all speaking together: "An elephant without kindness is not an elephant." "We are not our best selves without wonder," says Aunt Akello. "An elephant without wonder is not an elephant," the aunts respond. "We are not our best selves without courage," says Aunt Akello. "An elephant without courage is not an elephant," the aunts respond. "We are not our best selves without gratitude," says Aunt Akello. "An elephant without gratitude is not an elephant," the aunts respond. 

"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?"

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers