For March's Grades 3-4 Book Club, we read the book The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate. Alex and Emily was present. Here's what we discussed!
How does Bob feel about the phrase “man’s best friend,” which he heard on a TV show he watched with Ivan? Why does that phrase make him so angry?
Discuss how Bob's early experiences in life shaped his personality.
What does Bob mean when he says, “When you’re an animal, it helps to be a
realist”? (p. 32)
Compare Bob’s character with Ivan’s. How were their early
lives different and how were they similar? Why do you think Ivan was so
accepting of Bob sleeping on his stomach when he first came to the mall?
Discuss the difference between Bob’s friendship with Ivan
and Ruby and his interactions with Minnie and Moo, the guinea pigs, and Nutwit,
the squirrel. Why does he dislike Snickers, the poodle?
According to Bob, what are the biggest differences
between dogs and humans? What is the one human feature that he says he would
find very useful?
Why does Bob hate to walk past the animal shelter?
Describe his feelings about the animals he can hear in the shelter. What does
he mean when he says, “. . . the shelter harshes my mellow.”? (p. 77)
Compare Bob’s stories about his conversations with
Droolius, when he was a stray, and with Kimu the wolf, when he visits the zoo.
How does Bob feel about their different environments and their interactions
with humans?
Describe Bob’s impressions of the zoo and the animals that live with his friends Ivan and Ruby. What does he mean when he says he is considered “enrichment” at the zoo? (p. 102)
Why doesn’t Bob like Kinyani?
Why has Bob never told anyone the secret that haunts him? Why does he think he is really a coward?
Describe the ways in which Bob shows
bravery at the zoo after the tornado and at the animal shelter later.
How does Ruby come up with the idea to save the baby gorilla Kudzoo?
Why do the other elephants allow Ruby to go with Bob to find
Ivan? Why does Bob call Ruby “wise beyond her years”? (p. 191)
Why hasn’t Bob told any of his animal friends about
Boss? Why did he not look for her on the highway? What does he mean when he
says, “There’s a certain freedom that comes with owning your faults”? (p. 234)
Compare Boss’s experience of the last several years to
Bob’s. How has her life experience affected her feelings about people? What
does Boss mean when she says, “I’ve had to forgive myself plenty, just, you
know, to get through the day”? (p. 256) Why is it so hard for Bob to forgive
himself?
Why does Bob go to look for Boss’s puppy? What does he mean when he says to Ivan, “I let her down once, and now, well, I have a second chance”? (p. 290)
What is the bravest thing Bob does in his rescue of Rowdy?
How have Bob’s feelings about people changed throughout this story?
If the author writes another story about this group of animals (a Ruby story or one about Kimu, perhaps?), do you think you will read it?
Please rate this book between 1 and 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 the best.
-2 Fives!
