animal books for middle grade readers ·
best books for middle grade ·
best books for read aloud ·
katherine applegate ·
modern day classics ·
newbery award winner ·
one and only family ·
one and only ivan ·
The One and Only Katherine Applegate
Katherine Applegate brought us The One and Only Ivan in 2012 and over the past decade and subsequent books readers across the country have fallen in love with the gorilla and his animal friends. The book went on to win the Newbery Award and numerous state awards. It became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture for Disney+. Now, Katherine is delivering a beautiful conclusion to the One and Only series.
The One and Only Family is on sale May 7, but be sure to preorder it now so you can have it ready and on the shelves for release date!
About the Book
About the Author
Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including the One and Only series, the Endling series, Crenshaw, Wishtree, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series. She lives with her family in Nevada.
Check Out the Whole Series
Praise for the One and Only Series
The One and Only Ivan
★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. A must have.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
★ “Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
★ “Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur. Adults reading this aloud with children will find it just as rewarding.”
— Shelf Awareness
“Important.”
— The Horn Book
The One and Only Bob
★ "Bob proves to everyone (and finally himself) that there is a big heart in that tiny chest…and a brave one too. Applegate picks up where her Newbery Medal winner left off, and fans will be overjoyed to ride along in the head of lovable, self-deprecating Bob on his storm-tossed adventure. His wry doggy observations and attitude are pitch perfect."
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ "Ricocheting between entertainment and poignancy, the dog’s musings on his past and present give way to an urgent chronicle of survival. Applegate deepens the suspense (while, ingeniously, amplifying the humor) with the appearance of Bob’s long-lost sister. The novel’s fluid meshing of loyalty, forgiveness, and trust will leave readers hoping that the author has more one-and-only stories to tell."
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ "In this story of true friendship, hope, and courage, Bob learns to appreciate and cherish those he loves. Driven by favorite characters from The One and Only Ivan, Bob’s story is delightfully heartfelt and adventurous. Castelao’s illustrations add additional beauty to the story. Readers will be lining up to read this sequel."
— School Library Journal (starred review)
"Explore[s] themes of forgiveness, redemption, and heroism. A playful canine glossary and expressive spot illustrations further enhance the appeal of this sequel."
— Horn Book Magazine
"Bob supplies a sharp, lively voice that young readers will enjoy. Fans of the first book will love catching up with cherished friends, and newcomers, too, will enjoy this heartfelt story of survival."
— Booklist
"Much like Bob himself, this book has an appealing mix of frenetic energy and somber contemplation. Commentary on animal welfare and climate change is carefully woven into the narrative, giving readers food for thought but never overwhelming what is ultimately a tale of friendship and forgiveness."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The One and Only Ruby
★ "The story leads readers to ponder the ecological devastation of the ivory trade, the difficulties of being torn from your homeland at an early age, and the horrors of many circuses and zoos. But countering that is also the joy of friendship, humans' kindness toward animals, and the joy of just being a kid.... For fans of Ivan as well as animals in general, this is a special sequel."
— Booklist (starred review)
"Applegate yet again shows her ability to explore grief and its lifelong ripples with a subtle tenderness. The direct narrative tone gives depth to her personality: Ruby can be as mischievous and playful as she is stubborn and sometimes angry. Ivan, Bob, and Ruby all share terrible experiences at the hands of ignorant and even cruel humans, and while Applegate shows their current caretakers as compassionate people, she never offers redemption to those that hurt the friends and acknowledges the traumas that will stay with the trio for a long time."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Ruby’s playful yet sage voice traces the events that brought her from her unspecified African savanna home to the mall where she and Ivan previously lived, and, at last, to the sanctuary. With her trademark blend of frankness and hope, Applegate details dire circumstances facing elephants in the wild, including climate change and poaching, while elucidating their fierce loyalty and highlighting, via the three protagonists’ unforgettable bond, myriad interspecies relationships."
— Publishers Weekly
"An elephant glossary and Castelao’s charming, illustrated guide to elephant body language help immerse readers in Ruby’s world. Goofy, playful, and mischievous Ruby is fully dimensional, as she has shown her bravery during the many hardships of her young life. Applegate deftly tempers themes of grief and loss with compassion and humor as Ruby finds her place in the herd.... Certain to steal hearts."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Features Applegate’s trademark verse-prose; appealing spot illustrations; and the hallmark themes of the series: adversity, trauma, friendship, resilience, and hope."
— Horn Book Magazine