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

14. The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Bob. Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Patricia Castelao.  2020. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look, nobody's ever accused me of being a good dog. I bark at empty air. I eat cat litter. I roll in garbage to enhance my aroma. I harass innocent squirrels. I hog the couch. I lick myself in the presence of company. I'm no saint, okay?

The One and Only Bob is a sequel to Katherine Applegate's One and Only Ivan. Is it a sequel or more of a companion novel? Definitely a sequel. The novel opens with Bob living with his new family (George, Sara, Julia), and Ivan (the gorilla) and Ruby (the elephant) in their new homes at the local zoo. There are flashbacks--of sorts--to their time living together at the mall (as well as other flashbacks). 

The One and Only Bob has enough action for ten books. (I jest, mostly). You could argue that The One and Only Ivan was a character-driven, contemplative/reflective story with tons of heart. The One and Only Bob doesn't lack any in the character department. It doesn't. (There are new characters introduced too). And it certainly has HEART. (It is all the feels all at once.) But the action is INTENSE. Now take what you're imagining and magnify by about five. For 98% of this one expect to have your stomach in knots and an ache in your heart. 

So a storm is coming...and it's a BIG storm. It will catch all the characters--especially the animals, but also the humans--a bit unprepared. 

I really LOVED this one. It is a love in a different way. It complements One and Only Ivan. It does. But the intensity of the action is something that I could NEVER have handled in a million years as a kid. Bravo to those who can read it without becoming a total wreck. And the ending is 1000% worth it. It is a GREAT book. But oh the journey for these characters!!!!!

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

144. The Gilded Girl

The Gilded Girl. Alyssa Colman. 2021. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Izzy watched through a crack in the door as the young ladies in the parlor burst into flame.

Premise/plot: The Gilded Girl is a retelling of The Little Princess set in New York City in 1906/1907. Emma Harris, one of our heroines, plays the role of the 'spoiled' little rich girl. (She's not spoiled. Emma Harris even before the fall that everyone knows is coming has a heart of pure gold.) Izzy, our other heroine, is a servant at the school. 

The school is where the book perhaps takes the most liberties. For this isn't just any elite boarding school, it is Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic. She teaches wealthy young girls how to do magic, how to prepare for the Kindling Ceremony and the Kindling Winds that blow every December. Those whose magic is kindled can become licensed magicians. Magic is only for the wealthiest, most prestigious classes of society. Otherwise one's magic is snuffed out at age 12. 

Izzy has magic--though a servant--and she does not want it snuffed out. Emma is forced into servitude. She also doesn't want to lose her magic. These two work together as servants and secret students to see if they can hold onto their magic despite their poverty.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. The intended audience for this one were born probably between 2008 and 2012. Today's generation may or may not be familiar with the story of The Little Princess. Most probably wouldn't have read the original. Some may have seen it adapted for film. It is not labeled by the back copy (jacket copy) as being a retelling of The Little Princess. I am curious if this was intentional. Because it is glaringly apparent if you're an adult that this is without a doubt The Little Princess newly adorned.

I think my favorite part of The Gilded Girl was the "house dragon" (aka the black cat pictured on the cover) named FIGGY PUDDING.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

17. Mission Multiverse

Mission Multiverse. Rebecca Caprara. 2021. [May] 400 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Dev Khatri's rules for surviving middle school were pretty simple: Don't speak up. Don't act out. Don't get your butt kicked.

Premise/plot: Mission Multiverse is a middle grade science fiction novel. There are a handful of young heroes and heroines--classmates, band mates--who, for better or worse--find themselves separated from their classmates during a tour of NASA on a school field trip. They stumble into a frightening, out-of-this-world experience and they might just be the key to saving earth (or Dimension 14 as its called). 

Dev, Lewis, Tessa, Maeve, and Isaiah--these are our main (human) characters.

My thoughts: Mission Multiverse is a premise-driven middle grade novel. The premise being multiverses, parallel universes, multi-dimensions, aliens, etc. For those readers that enjoy science fiction and action, this one offers plenty. It feels very much like a first in the series book as opposed to a stand alone novel. If this is all we ever get, then there is no resolution. (Surely it's the start of a new series.) 

Earth is in great danger--just thirty days away from THE END. Can these five representatives save Earth? Can they uncover the plots and schemes of the VILLAIN who's out to destroy Earth?

There is some world-building. We're not given a clear date--but I'm assuming that if Earth is THIS Earth, it's far in the future. If it's an alternate universe Earth--one of the author's imagination--then the dating doesn't truly matter. But things work differently on this Earth--for better or worse.

This does have a problem-novel feel to it as well. I think one of the agendas is climate change and the environment.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers