The One and Only Ruby

The One and Only Ruby is the third iteration in Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only series, which also comprises The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob. All three animals, Ivan, Ruby, and Bob, feature across the three novels, which tells the story of the gorilla Ivan and the elephant Ruby, who are relocated from inhumane cages in a mall to a larger and more humane animal sanctuary. Bob, a stray dog who lived with Ivan in his cage, is adopted by the human family who rescues and relocates the other animals.

Continuity is established across the series through the relationship of Ivan, Bob, and Ruby, which continues after the animals are relocated from the mall to the sanctuary, with Bob frequently visiting Canine Corner, a corner where Ruby and Ivan’s zoo enclosures meet. Each of the three novels focuses on one animal’s story; as may be intuited, The One and Only Ivan features Ivan as a protagonist, with the other animals as supporting characters. Likewise, The One and Only Bob focuses on Bob, and The One and Only Ruby focuses on Ruby. Each book is told from the first-person