The One and Only Bob

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

ACTIVITY: “A Medal for Bob”

In this activity, students will analyze the heroism of Bob and create a symbolic medal to commemorate his achievements.

Bob portrays himself as a carefree, independent dog who often misbehaves, but when the hurricane threatens the lives of the animals in the zoo, Bob quickly takes action to rescue the zoo animals. Reflect on Bob’s acts of heroism in the novel and design a symbolic award for Bob based on his actions. Consider these points as you design your medal:

• Whom does Bob rescue at the zoo and why?
• Why is Bob’s heroism important to his self-image?
• In what way does Bob overcome a great challenge?
• Whose life does Bob impact significantly?
• What symbolism might you use to represent Bob’s heroism?

Present your award to your peers, describing the symbolic significance of the items represented on the medal to Bob.

Teaching Suggestion: It may be beneficial for students to consider symbols that are important to Bob to incorporate in their medal by reviewing the metaphorical language Bob uses throughout the novel. Also consider having students discuss Bob’s heroic acts and how they might be incorporated into the final design of the medal.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge can analyze the metaphorical language used by Bob to determine the meaning behind the metaphors, the importance of the symbols to Bob, and how the symbols apply to Bob’s identity as a dog. 

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. When Bob revisits his abandonment with Boss, she implores him to forgive their previous owners.

• How does The One and Only Bob explore the concept of forgiveness? (topic sentence)
• Select two characters from the novel who encounter scenarios in which they must extend forgiveness. Describe the reason they need to forgive others and how their experience has impacted their actions up to this point.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether the two characters you chose were able to extend forgiveness and what their choice indicates about their growth as characters.

2. Bob and Ruby are both unlikely heroes.

• How do Bob and Ruby exhibit heroism, and how does this affect their self-esteem? (topic sentence)
• Describe 2-3 traits of a typical hero and explain how Bob and Ruby fit into or subvert these traits.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why the concept of heroism is important to Bob and Ruby’s development and self-image.

3. Bob describes the regret he has because he abandoned his sister, Boss.

• In what ways is Bob able to restore his relationship and repair the damage that may have been done to Boss? (topic sentence)
• Provide at least two examples of the ways in which Bob attempts to make reparations for leaving Boss behind when they were puppies.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe Boss’s reaction to Bob’s guilt over abandoning her.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider the novel’s theme Humans’ Capacity to Hurt or Help. In an essay of at least three main points, explore the humans that hurt and the humans that help in the novel. Then explain whether the humans that are described in the novel predominantly help or hurt. Support your answer with quotes from the novel.

2. Bob has difficulty trusting and loving his caregivers because of his experiences with humans in the past. Incorporate multiple details to explain what Bob does to resist the trust and love of his caregivers and why it is important for Bob to choose love and trust over mistrust and hatred. Provide supporting details from the text to justify your response.

3. Applegate’s novel takes characters whom others believe to be weak and makes heroes out of them in high-pressure situations. Discuss Bob’s transition from a cowardly, comfortable lapdog to a hero. Use evidence from the novel to support your response. 

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What is Bob’s primary struggle while living with Julia?

A) Submitting to training

B) Learning to trust humans

C) Coping with boredom

D) Getting along with Snickers

2. Why might Bob be described as an Unlikely Hero?

A) He is often fearful and self-interested.

B) He is reluctant to help the zoo animals during the flood.

C) He is unwilling to take responsibility for abandoning Boss.

D) He is often unkind to Ivan and Ruby.

3. What is the greatest factor that contributes to Bob’s preference for gorillas over people?

A) Ivan, unlike humans, provides Bob with food and shelter.

B) Bob has known Ivan longer than any other individual in the novel.

C) Bob admires Ivan’s stoic personality and strong will.

D) Ivan was a friend to Bob when he was abandoned by humans.

4. Which plot scenario best supports the novel’s theme Humans’ Capacity to Help or Hurt?

A) Ivan shares his banana with Bob when the dog is starving.

B) Ruby and Ivan are forcibly removed from their homes in the jungle.

C) Bob rescues Rowdy from the grip of Kimu.

D) Ruby is removed from the mall after Ivan’s careful planning.

5. In what way is Bob unlike his carefully crafted image?

A) Inwardly he is bolder than he presents himself to Snickers.

B) Unlike his outward persona, he does not care for his humans.

C) He cares more about others than he is willing to admit.

D) Although he pretends to be friends with Ivan, he prefers humans.

6. What is the symbolic significance of cars in the novel?

A) Cars symbolize the trust Bob has built with Julia.

B) Cars represents the comfortable lifestyle Bob now lives.

C) Cars illustrate the fast pace of life with humans.

D) Cars represent Bob’s abandonment.

7. Applegate uses metaphorical language to describe Bob’s thoughts. For example, she describes worry as lingering in Bob’s mind “like shampoo after a bath.” What purpose does Applegate’s language serve in this instance?

A) It builds a sense of dread in the reader.

B) It illustrates the simplicity of a dog's mind.

C) It communicates what dogs worry about.

D) It creates humor in the scene.

8. What event foreshadows Bob’s separation from Julia and George?

A) The dog shelter

B) Ivan’s stoic behavior

C) A nightmare

D) Ruby’s nervous demeanor

9. What is one way Bob resists becoming pampered like Snickers?

A) He will not permit his caretakers to dress him in clothing.

B) He refuses to comply with human commands and tricks.

C) He rejects his caretaker's attempts to give him a bath.

D) He abandons George and Julia the first chance he gets.

10. What is one problem Bob faces after being adopted by Julia?

A) A loss of Identity

B) Frequent hunger

C) Loss of his best friends

D) A fear of becoming lost

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Consider the importance of friendship in the novel. Why are friendship and stability important to Bob? Why might he resist such things?

2. Consider the comparisons that are made between Bob and Kimu. What point does the author make in these two descriptions? Why is it important that Bob is able to stand up to Kimu?