The One and Only Ruby

Consider the varied humans Ruby meets throughout her life. Are humans depicted as mostly good or mostly bad, in terms of their effects on the lives of animals? Support your answer with textual evidence.

How does the first-person narration of Ruby the baby elephant affect the way the story is received? Does it position readers to feel more strongly about the immorality of Animal Cruelty and Exploitation? Why or why not?

How does Ruby’s decision to talk about Stella help her to process this loss? Consider the way she thinks of Stella before and after this, as well as the ways that Akello includes Stella in Ruby’s Tuskday ceremony once she learns of Ruby’s feelings.

How does Katherine Applegate use the ivory trade to critique not only Animal Cruelty and Exploitation, but also human consumerism and greed? Consider Aunt Akello’s description of the uses of ivory in Chapter 84: “Ivory and Memory” in answering this.

How does Ruby’s decision to talk about Stella also positively affect Ivan’s journey with his grief over Stella’s death? Consider the way he talks about Stella before and after Ruby’s story.

Although Ruby’s mother’s death is undeniably tragic, is there some benefit, in terms of Ruby’s learning and experiences, to her being raised by a variety of people and animals? What contributions do each of Ruby’s parental figures make in her Coming of Age?

How can this story be considered an exploration of resilience in the face of adversity? Consider not only Ruby’s life experiences in your answer, but also those of Aunt Laheli, Aunt Akello, Aunt Stella, and Ivan.

Ruby believes that, on balance, she is an overwhelmingly lucky, rather than unlucky, elephant. Do you agree? Consider alternative ways Ruby’s story could have unfolded in your answer.