The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) — Content Guide for Parents
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
From beloved powerhouse author Katherine Applegate comes The One and Only Ruby, starring the adorable baby elephant from the Newbery Medal-winning modern classic The One and Only Ivan and its bestselling sequel, The One and Only Bob.
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.
In the timeless way that only Katherine Applegate could craft, this highly anticipated novel in verse is the perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous, poignant and sweet. Artist Patricia Castelao returns to the world of Ivan and his friends with gorgeous black-and-white interior illustrations to complete the story.
The One and Only Ruby features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).
This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 8, for independent reading, homeschooling, and sharing in the classroom.
Frequently asked questions
Is The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No explicit violence between characters is detailed in the book. While previous books in the series mention themes of captivity and animal abuse, the focus in this installment is on Ivan's experiences as a parent, without violent interactions. No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. While the series addresses heavy themes such as captivity and climate change, the focus remains on Ivan's journey as a father, which is not intended to be scary.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have violence?
No explicit violence between characters is detailed in the book. While previous books in the series mention themes of captivity and animal abuse, the focus in this installment is on Ivan's experiences as a parent, without violent interactions.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. While the series addresses heavy themes such as captivity and climate change, the focus remains on Ivan's journey as a father, which is not intended to be scary.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results reference general reviews and author background, which are not relevant to the book's narrative.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes are present in the book. The narrative focuses on animal characters and their experiences rather than addressing race or racism as a central theme.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have profanity?
No profanity is present in the book. The narrative is suitable for children and does not include any crude language or swearing.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have climate change?
The book addresses themes of climate change, habitat loss, and animal welfare. It highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and discusses the impact of climate change on animals, framing these issues as significant challenges.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The relationship between Ivan and Kinyani is described as loving, but there are no explicit references to sexual themes or details.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have gender roles?
The book features Ivan as a father navigating parenthood but does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The narrative does not promote traditional or modern gender roles explicitly.
Does The One and Only Family (The One and Only Ivan Series) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes explicitly present in the book. While Ivan and Kinyani are depicted as a loving couple, there are no details regarding their relationship or any LGBTQ+ representation in the narrative.
