The One and Only Ruby

 
　　故事從《小狗包柏的真實告白》（The One and Only Bob）事件的幾個月後開始，小象露比現在住在一個野生動物保護區裡，從前曾在非洲大象孤兒院照料露比的工作人員意外來到，讓露比回想起加入馬戲團前在大草原上的生活，她向大猩猩伊凡還有小狗包柏訴說起這段有悲傷也有快樂的過往回憶……
 
　　《八號出口的猩猩》（The One and Only Ivan）改編自真實故事，獲得包括紐伯瑞文學獎金獎在內的無數獎項肯定，更於2020年改編為電影。The One and Only Ruby是繼《八號出口的猩猩》與《小狗包柏的真實告白》後的系列第三本，內容以第一人稱講述露比的回憶。透過露比的聲音，讓讀者了解露比是如何遠離家鄉，住進馬戲團，最後又如何到達現在居住的保護區裡。故事也引導讀者了解象牙交易造成的生態破壞、幼象被帶離家鄉的可怕，以及馬戲團與動物園的恐怖。這本書同時也描述了友誼的喜悅，以及人類對動物的喜愛之情。書中也搭配由藝術家 Patricia Castelao 繪製的黑白插畫，真摯、幽默又帶有憂傷以及甜蜜的故事，讓露比的角色栩栩如生，帶領讀者再一次回到伊凡、包柏與露比的世界。

　　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. This B&N Exclusive Edition features bonus content from Katherine Applegate, never-before-seen sketches from artist Patricia Castelao, and gorgeous foil stamping and embossing on the jacket.

　　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.

　　Don’t miss the film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan, now streaming on Disney+!