The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Bob

• Genre: Fiction; Children's Literature, Animal Adventure
• Originally Published: 2020
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 570L; Ages 9-13
• Structure/Length: Divided into chapters; approximately 340 pages; approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The One and Only Bob is a sequel to The One and Only Ivan and follows the adventures of Bob, a small but courageous dog, as he embarks on a journey with his friends to rescue a young elephant named Ruby. The central conflict revolves around Bob's determination to help his friends, confront his past, and find the bravery within himself. The story explores friendship, loyalty, and personal growth, with a focus on the unique perspectives of its animal characters.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of rescue missions, challenges of the animal world

Katherine Applegate, Author

• Bio: American author known for her works in children's literature; Applegate is celebrated for her ability to craft compelling stories with animal protagonists that resonate with young readers; she is the author of several acclaimed books, including The One and Only Ivan and Crenshaw; Applegate has received numerous awards for her contributions to children's literature and her ability to tackle complex themes with sensitivity.
• Other Works: The One and Only Ivan (2012); Crenshaw (2015); Wishtree (2017); The One and Only Bob is a sequel to The One and Only Ivan, and Applegate authored a third book in the series, The One and Only Ruby (2023), along with numerous other books for middle-grade readers.
• Awards: Newbery Medal, 2013 (The One and Only Ivan)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Forgiveness and Trust
• The Unlikely Hero
• Humans’ Capacity to Hurt or Help

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the psychological and social contexts regarding heroism and identity that incite Bob’s conflict.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Forgiveness and Trust, The Unlikely Hero, and Humans’ Capacity to Hurt or Help.
• Plan, design, and construct visual media that conveys the heroism of Bob based on text details.
• Analyze and evaluate the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding unlikely heroes, forgiveness, and other topics.