The One and Only Bob

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What character attributes define heroism? What is the difference between a hero and an unlikely hero?

Teaching Suggestion: Bob, the protagonist of the novel, finds it difficult to forgive or trust the humans in his life because he was abandoned by his owner as a small puppy. Bob is later adopted by a family and worries his tough streetwise persona is slipping until unforeseen circumstances force him to become an unlikely hero. Consider exploring the novel’s theme The Unlikely Hero by first addressing the questions and exploring the resources below.  

• This article from verywellmind.com defines the characteristics of heroism.
• This MasterClass article explores common hero archetypes in literature, including the “everyman hero.”

Short Activity

Create a T-chart to explore the novel’s theme Humans’ Capacity to Hurt or Help. Consider the questions below as you develop your chart.

• In what ways might humans help or hurt the environment or ecosystem?
• How might humans intentionally or unintentionally hurt animals?
• What are some possible long-term consequences of human actions as a species?
• How might human behavior, both good and bad, have an impact on the behavior of others?

Teaching Suggestion: Bob is deeply wounded by his abandonment as a puppy and acts out against his new human caretakers as a result. Consider exploring the novel’s theme Humans’ Capacity to Hurt or Help to analyze the intended or unintended consequences of human behavior toward animals and the planet. Consider using the video link as a resource to generate ideas about choices and consequences.

• This 3-minute video from Project Better Self works as a parable to explore choices and consequences.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Consider a time when you felt as though you were wronged by someone who was responsible for your care. Why is it difficult to forgive those who have wronged us? In what ways might past wrongs influence our behavior?

Teaching Suggestion: Bob refuses to be trained by Julia because of his deep-rooted fears and resentment after he was abandoned by humans. Forgiveness becomes a significant theme in the novel as Bob wrestles to forgive those who abandoned him in order to learn to accept the love and care of Julia. Consider discussing forgiveness and the ways in which a lack of forgiveness can impact the way individuals interact with others.