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Ramona Quimby #5
رامونا و مادرش
At 7 and a half, with working parents and a sister at "a difficult age," Ramona Quimby tries hard to do her part to keep family peace. Usually, however, she ends up behind every uproarious incident in the house. Whether she's dying herself blue, watching while her young neighbor flings Kleenex around the house, or wearing her soft new pajamas to school one day (under her clothes, of course), Ramona's life is never dull. Through it all, she is struggling for a place in her mother's heart, worried that she might be unlovable. Not a chance. Ramona Quimby is nothing if not lovable.
Beverly Cleary's gift for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckily, in addition to being empathic, witty, and astute, Cleary is also prolific. She has created over two dozen children's books, and been presented with many awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, as well as the Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father and for Ramona Quimby, Age 8. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
526 people are currently reading
4233 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Cleary
262 books3,347 followersBeverly Atlee Cleary was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.
The majority of Cleary's books are set in the Grant Park neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon, where she was raised, and she has been credited as one of the first authors of children's literature to figure emotional realism in the narratives of her characters, often children in middle-class families. Her first children's book was Henry Huggins after a question from a kid when Cleary was a librarian. Cleary won the 1981 National Book Award for Ramona and Her Mother and the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. For her lifetime contributions to American literature, she received the National Medal of Arts, recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Beverly Cleary School, a public school in Portland, was named after her, and several statues of her most famous characters were erected in Grant Park in 1995. Cleary died on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews
October 12, 2011
I'm not able to think about Laura Ingels Wilder's "Little House" books objectively because when I hear a title or see one of the covers, I am brought back to my childhood bedroom and I can feel the weight of my mom at the end of my bed while she read aloud those books.
A nice enough memory to be sure, but more so in light of the fact that things were frequently less than ideal at home. I have a friend that can rattle of pleasant memory after pleasant memory of her childhood while mine frequently ended with comments like "that was right after our house burned down" or "I think my grandma was in the mental institute then" or "I'm not sure why the neighbor shot our dog" and so on and so on. Of course there were plenty of moments of that weren't laced with trauma: being involved in local theater, hand making our own Christmas paper, eating snow cones while my dad coached baseball, etc, etc, etc but the memory that can bring back the most thorough and pleasant sensations is that of my mom at the end of my bed.
Even when it was happening I could fell that it was a unique time and I didn't want to do anything to interfere with it. More than once she sat on my foot unintentionally and I laid as still as possible, ignoring the slight discomfort for fear of undoing any part of what was happening.
Now I have my own kids and my own version of a "less than ideal home", and I read to them as well. The other night was chaotic and I was too occupied with other things to give them the attention they deserved and before I knew it bedtime was there and I was grumpy and yelling at them to get their teeth brushed and get to bed. I scolded myself in my mind AGAIN for not being the kind of parent I wanted to be that day and then...
I sat in the hall between their rooms and read them the last chapter of Ramona and Her Mother and we laughed so hard at parts that I had to stop reading for us to collect ourselves and when Ramona referred to her mom as , "Better than any mother in the world" my daughter yelled "no!" and my son explained, when I looked up (assuming something had happened outside the book), "you're the best mom".
And they're wrong. I am NOT the best mom in the world and I know that as they get older the juvenile idolization of parents will give way to a more cynical and frankly accurate perception of who I really am. They'll be able to reflect on all my parental short comings and likely find insecurities or imperfections in their personalities that they can blame on me BUT hopefully with that they will remember those moments when we forgot about cleaning rooms and brushing teeth and doing homework and bickering and we laughed really hard and talked about what we were reading and we just felt happy to be connected to each other.
A nice enough memory to be sure, but more so in light of the fact that things were frequently less than ideal at home. I have a friend that can rattle of pleasant memory after pleasant memory of her childhood while mine frequently ended with comments like "that was right after our house burned down" or "I think my grandma was in the mental institute then" or "I'm not sure why the neighbor shot our dog" and so on and so on. Of course there were plenty of moments of that weren't laced with trauma: being involved in local theater, hand making our own Christmas paper, eating snow cones while my dad coached baseball, etc, etc, etc but the memory that can bring back the most thorough and pleasant sensations is that of my mom at the end of my bed.
Even when it was happening I could fell that it was a unique time and I didn't want to do anything to interfere with it. More than once she sat on my foot unintentionally and I laid as still as possible, ignoring the slight discomfort for fear of undoing any part of what was happening.
Now I have my own kids and my own version of a "less than ideal home", and I read to them as well. The other night was chaotic and I was too occupied with other things to give them the attention they deserved and before I knew it bedtime was there and I was grumpy and yelling at them to get their teeth brushed and get to bed. I scolded myself in my mind AGAIN for not being the kind of parent I wanted to be that day and then...
I sat in the hall between their rooms and read them the last chapter of Ramona and Her Mother and we laughed so hard at parts that I had to stop reading for us to collect ourselves and when Ramona referred to her mom as , "Better than any mother in the world" my daughter yelled "no!" and my son explained, when I looked up (assuming something had happened outside the book), "you're the best mom".
And they're wrong. I am NOT the best mom in the world and I know that as they get older the juvenile idolization of parents will give way to a more cynical and frankly accurate perception of who I really am. They'll be able to reflect on all my parental short comings and likely find insecurities or imperfections in their personalities that they can blame on me BUT hopefully with that they will remember those moments when we forgot about cleaning rooms and brushing teeth and doing homework and bickering and we laughed really hard and talked about what we were reading and we just felt happy to be connected to each other.
December 15, 2017
عالي :)
June 20, 2020
Beezus looked over her shoulder. “Is that toothpaste?” she asked in disbelief.
Ramona scowled because she did not know what else to do.
“Mother!”
.....
“Get a spoon and a jar from the kitchen,” directed Mrs Quimby, “and scoop up the toothpaste.” Then she said to Beezus, “She can use it herself, and the rest of us can use a fresh tube.”
Somehow Ramona felt sad knowing she was about to be excluded from the family tube of toothpaste for a long time. And she wished her mother would not speak to Beezus as if she were not in the room.
“Ramona,” said her mother, “don’t you ever let me catch you squeezing out a whole tube of toothpaste again.”
“I won’t,” promised Ramona, and as she went off to the kitchen for a jar and a spoon she felt unexpectedly cheerful. She had done something she had always wanted to do. Of course she would never squeeze out a whole tube of toothpaste again. She had done it once. She did not need to do it again.
This is the fifth book in the Ramona series, and is a bookend to the previous book, Ramona and Her Father. Although it was published two years later, it picks up a few weeks after the last book left off. When last we saw the Quimby’s, the girls had just been in the Christmas pageant and her father was due to begin a new job at the grocery after being out of work for months. Ramona is still in 2nd grade, Beezus is in 7th.
(And Cleary finally makes open references about the story being set in Portland, Oregon.)
It’s now New Year’s and the Quimby’s are throwing a neighborhood brunch. While Beezus helps her mother serve food and hangs out with the adults, Ramona is relegated to the indignity of babysitting her friend Howie’s (bratty) sister, Willa Jean, in the kitchen. Two outcomes of this brunch will affect Ramona for the rest of the book: someone compares Willa Jean to a younger Ramona (how very dare they) and Ramona's mother tells a guest she’d never get by without Beezus.
Wait!! What about Ramona? Doesn’t her mother need her?
Ramona is a bright and creative girl, but as we’ve seen before, that also makes her an anxious one. And so as the family weathers trials and comical misadventures of various types—Beezus’ disastrous trip to a student hairdresser, Ramona and Howie having their checkers games constantly interrupted by Willa Jean (not for nothing, exactly like Ramona once did to Beezus and Henry), Ramona’s father hating his new job—Ramona is concerned that maybe her mom doesn’t love her as much as she does her perfect older sister.
This is where Cleary is brilliant at getting into the heads of her young protagonists. When Ramona tries and fails to make a pair of pants for her stuffed elephant and throws a tantrum, it’s not really about the pants. It’s about wanting to bond with her mother through sewing and failing on that task, while Beezus and Mrs. Quimby have a friendly, harmonious time (again!) hemming one of her skirts.
Sometimes you get so frustrated when you can’t express yourself, you just have to give in to that urge to squeeze a plump, fresh tube of toothpaste. And NOT from the bottom.
Everything is resolved of course, although there are always loose ends because Cleary’s world is a sweet but realistic one. Mr. Quimby will be quitting his job and going back to school and I’m sure there will be more to come on that in the next book.
I’ve been off work for a few months for surgery, and for whatever reason concentrating on books is difficult (and I’m soooooo tired of television.) I’ve enjoyed revisiting this series with adult eyes and observing how well and thoughtfully Cleary pulls these stories off.
Ramona scowled because she did not know what else to do.
“Mother!”
.....
“Get a spoon and a jar from the kitchen,” directed Mrs Quimby, “and scoop up the toothpaste.” Then she said to Beezus, “She can use it herself, and the rest of us can use a fresh tube.”
Somehow Ramona felt sad knowing she was about to be excluded from the family tube of toothpaste for a long time. And she wished her mother would not speak to Beezus as if she were not in the room.
“Ramona,” said her mother, “don’t you ever let me catch you squeezing out a whole tube of toothpaste again.”
“I won’t,” promised Ramona, and as she went off to the kitchen for a jar and a spoon she felt unexpectedly cheerful. She had done something she had always wanted to do. Of course she would never squeeze out a whole tube of toothpaste again. She had done it once. She did not need to do it again.
This is the fifth book in the Ramona series, and is a bookend to the previous book, Ramona and Her Father. Although it was published two years later, it picks up a few weeks after the last book left off. When last we saw the Quimby’s, the girls had just been in the Christmas pageant and her father was due to begin a new job at the grocery after being out of work for months. Ramona is still in 2nd grade, Beezus is in 7th.
(And Cleary finally makes open references about the story being set in Portland, Oregon.)
It’s now New Year’s and the Quimby’s are throwing a neighborhood brunch. While Beezus helps her mother serve food and hangs out with the adults, Ramona is relegated to the indignity of babysitting her friend Howie’s (bratty) sister, Willa Jean, in the kitchen. Two outcomes of this brunch will affect Ramona for the rest of the book: someone compares Willa Jean to a younger Ramona (how very dare they) and Ramona's mother tells a guest she’d never get by without Beezus.
Wait!! What about Ramona? Doesn’t her mother need her?
Ramona is a bright and creative girl, but as we’ve seen before, that also makes her an anxious one. And so as the family weathers trials and comical misadventures of various types—Beezus’ disastrous trip to a student hairdresser, Ramona and Howie having their checkers games constantly interrupted by Willa Jean (not for nothing, exactly like Ramona once did to Beezus and Henry), Ramona’s father hating his new job—Ramona is concerned that maybe her mom doesn’t love her as much as she does her perfect older sister.
This is where Cleary is brilliant at getting into the heads of her young protagonists. When Ramona tries and fails to make a pair of pants for her stuffed elephant and throws a tantrum, it’s not really about the pants. It’s about wanting to bond with her mother through sewing and failing on that task, while Beezus and Mrs. Quimby have a friendly, harmonious time (again!) hemming one of her skirts.
Sometimes you get so frustrated when you can’t express yourself, you just have to give in to that urge to squeeze a plump, fresh tube of toothpaste. And NOT from the bottom.
Everything is resolved of course, although there are always loose ends because Cleary’s world is a sweet but realistic one. Mr. Quimby will be quitting his job and going back to school and I’m sure there will be more to come on that in the next book.
I’ve been off work for a few months for surgery, and for whatever reason concentrating on books is difficult (and I’m soooooo tired of television.) I’ve enjoyed revisiting this series with adult eyes and observing how well and thoughtfully Cleary pulls these stories off.
January 25, 2021
So funny and endearing++
April 26, 2020
I didn’t remember how much the “father loses his job” plotline continues through the books.
There’s also this, which is practically perfect in every way:
There’s also this, which is practically perfect in every way:
Ramona was stern. “Grownups are supposed to be perfect.”These are so good.
Both her parents laughed. “Well, they are,” Ramona insisted, annoyed by their laughter.
“Name one perfect grownup,” challenged Mr. Quimby. “You can’t do it.”
“Haven’t you noticed grownups aren’t perfect?” asked Mrs. Quimby. “Especially when they’re tired.”
“Then how come you expect us kids to be perfect all the time?” demanded Ramona.
“Good question,” said Mr. Quimby. “I’ll have to think of an answer.”
September 30, 2024
Haircuts and forgetting to plug in the crock pot? These are the real dramas of a working mother’s life. A whole chapter about a girl who thinks she’s cracked the code on comfortable dressing only to find herself hot, stuffy, and embarrassed? That’s exactly the kind of logic an elementary student would use! Cleary continues to make everyday life story worthy in this one, which may be one of my favorites. But who can choose?
February 1, 2008
At 7 and a half, with working parents and a sister at "a difficult age," Ramona Quimby tries hard to do her part to keep family peace. Usually, however, she ends up behind every uproarious incident in the house. Whether she's dying herself blue, watching while her young neighbor flings Kleenex around the house, or wearing her soft new pajamas to school one day (under her clothes, of course), Ramona's life is never dull. Through it all, she is struggling for a place in her mother's heart, worried that she might be unlovable. Not a chance. Ramona Quimby is nothing if not lovable.
Beverly Cleary's gift for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckily, in addition to being empathic, witty, and astute, Cleary is also prolific. She has created over two dozen children's books, and been presented with many awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, as well as the Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father
Beverly Cleary's gift for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckily, in addition to being empathic, witty, and astute, Cleary is also prolific. She has created over two dozen children's books, and been presented with many awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, as well as the Newbery Honor for Ramona and Her Father
February 7, 2020
The fifth book in the Ramona series focuses on Ramona and her mother.
At the start the family has invited some of their neighbors over to celebrate Mr. Quimby finding a job at the supermarket. Ramona, of course is expected to entertain Willa Jean.
I loved the chapter about the parent's argument, and fears that the sister have as they try to sleep that night.
The great hair argument was very funny, and will appeal to people of all age's.
My favorite is Ramona wearing her pajamas to school. I loved how the parent's deal with Ramona announcement that she is running away. Wonderful part of the Ramona Quimby story.
At the start the family has invited some of their neighbors over to celebrate Mr. Quimby finding a job at the supermarket. Ramona, of course is expected to entertain Willa Jean.
I loved the chapter about the parent's argument, and fears that the sister have as they try to sleep that night.
The great hair argument was very funny, and will appeal to people of all age's.
My favorite is Ramona wearing her pajamas to school. I loved how the parent's deal with Ramona announcement that she is running away. Wonderful part of the Ramona Quimby story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2020
I remember how wonderful it felt wearing a new pair of flannel pyjamas. Unlike Ramona, though, I didn’t want to wear them under my day clothes, but I thought her logic was sound., even if in practice it didn’t work as well as she anticipated.
This was another fun entry, with Beezus becoming more prickly, no doubt due to puberty, while Ramona begins to question her place in her mother’s heart. And how Ramona figures out that she is loved is sweet.
This was another fun entry, with Beezus becoming more prickly, no doubt due to puberty, while Ramona begins to question her place in her mother’s heart. And how Ramona figures out that she is loved is sweet.
Read
July 19, 2017I love how complex we see the family relationships and situations are. That a haircut out of the house is such a luxury.
But the kicker for me was mom coming in and helping Ramona pack to run away. Actual LOL.
But the kicker for me was mom coming in and helping Ramona pack to run away. Actual LOL.
December 10, 2012
As a farming, homeschooling, radical homemaking Mama, I will happily go on record stating my distate for the likes of Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody. The modern sisters to Ramona Quimby, Junie and Judy, in my opinion, are simply brats living in a world that I'd prefer not to share with my daughters (although, I must admit, they rather enjoy them). But enter Ramona Quimby, and we are all on the same page. We all relate much more more with Ramona's mishaps and adventures, because they are based on what most naughty behavior is based on - misunderstandings and good intentions with bad planning. Her character is believable and loveable, and the culture of the family resonates much more with our own experiences-- whether it is a night when Mom secretly feeds the girls tongue, or the fact that the family must get by with only one car, or that they confront the hardships of her dad being out of work or disliking his job, the hum of a sewing machine on a rainy Saturday, the smell of a slow cooker simmering away in the background, the unavoidable spats between moms and dads, or older sisters who come across as bossy, but who are truly well-meaning. Beverly Cleary's characters are believable and loveable, and the humor is timeless, good for full-belly laughter during bedtime reading.
June 29, 2020
I grew up with Ramona. Many kids of my generation in Iran grew up with Ramona because when we were kids (in the 2000s and 2010s) these books were one of the most popular translated children's series. Ramona and Her Mother was the first one in the series that I encountered. My mom read it to me when I was little, and it was only her exclusive right to read Ramona to me. (I didn't let my dad read Ramona, his reading tasks were Tintin and Pippi Longstocking)
So I have very fond memories of this book even though I haven't re-read it in many years. My old Persian copy had a red cover and it was read so many times it got torn and lost. But this book always reminds me of my mom and is one of my favorite Ramonas to this date.
The parts I've sympathized with or tried to imitate:
- Squishing a whole tube of toothpaste in the sink just because she was angry
- Getting ugly mushroom haircuts and always wanting a nice one
- Making costumes for a stuffed animal that is old and ugly but loved, sewing alongside mom
- Hugging mom
- etc.
So I have very fond memories of this book even though I haven't re-read it in many years. My old Persian copy had a red cover and it was read so many times it got torn and lost. But this book always reminds me of my mom and is one of my favorite Ramonas to this date.
The parts I've sympathized with or tried to imitate:
- Squishing a whole tube of toothpaste in the sink just because she was angry
- Getting ugly mushroom haircuts and always wanting a nice one
- Making costumes for a stuffed animal that is old and ugly but loved, sewing alongside mom
- Hugging mom
- etc.
July 17, 2018
An all-time legend, I stan <3
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
January 2, 2025
With her mother and father both working, seven-and-a-half-year-old Ramona is feeling a little neglected, unloved, and jealous of her sister. Her simple slice-of-life adventures and gentle mischief are amusing side trips on the road to an emotional confrontation with her mother.
Cute.
Cute.
April 27, 2013
We started reading the series of books starring Ramona Quimby, Beezus, Henry and their friends a few years ago, but we never made too much progress. We intended to read more, but we always chose something else.
Our youngest was given the book Ramona the Pest (Ramona Quimby to read by her second grade teacher to practice her reading comprehension and I thought we'd give the series another try.
We listened to this book narrated by Stockard Channing on audio CD on a family road trip to Williamsburg. Despite my hubby's initial objections, we all enjoyed listening to the story together, and the setting brought back a sense of nostalgia for my hubby and I. (R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells relief)
Although these were written more than thirty years ago, they are still fun and great for children. It's refreshing to see that as time passes, some things still stay the same.
I like the Ramona's sincerity and the fact that she experiences real emotions. She gets angry at times, but she is also joyous, fearful and proud. She is jealous of her older sister, but loves her and looks up to her as well. She worries when her parents fight. We really enjoyed listening to this book together.
Our youngest was given the book Ramona the Pest (Ramona Quimby to read by her second grade teacher to practice her reading comprehension and I thought we'd give the series another try.
We listened to this book narrated by Stockard Channing on audio CD on a family road trip to Williamsburg. Despite my hubby's initial objections, we all enjoyed listening to the story together, and the setting brought back a sense of nostalgia for my hubby and I. (R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells relief)
Although these were written more than thirty years ago, they are still fun and great for children. It's refreshing to see that as time passes, some things still stay the same.
I like the Ramona's sincerity and the fact that she experiences real emotions. She gets angry at times, but she is also joyous, fearful and proud. She is jealous of her older sister, but loves her and looks up to her as well. She worries when her parents fight. We really enjoyed listening to this book together.
March 23, 2022
I just love Ramona and the whole Quimby family. Ramona is such a realistic kid and the family's dynamics are so genuine, funny, and loving. I first read this book when I was about Ramona's age ("7 1/2 right now") and decades later it still makes me laugh and feel warm and fuzzy inside. Beverly Cleary was such a special writer. I can't wait to give this series to my niece some day.
January 25, 2021
I'm just so glad that these hold up. So many of my fondly remembered childhood favorites don't. But Ramona is real, and the story here has just as much tough stuff as it does happiness. I am so happy that Ramona exists.
July 16, 2025
my 7 yo daughter wrote this.
I really liked the feelings and I think it was realistic and it was really nice and it had a happy ending and there were lots of things that happened that were interesting and I think the author was really thinking when she wrote this book.
I really liked the feelings and I think it was realistic and it was really nice and it had a happy ending and there were lots of things that happened that were interesting and I think the author was really thinking when she wrote this book.
September 9, 2009
No one captures the epitome of a precocious little firecracker of a girl better than Beverly Cleary! I read my first ‘Ramona’ book when I was in the 2nd grade (“Ramona Quimby, Age 8” – still my favorite) and my enjoyment of them has not waned in the slightest 21 years later! I absolutely adore these books. They convey such a warm sense of family, even when times are tough (and they have to “scrimp and pinch to make ends meet”). Cleary’s ability to write from the perspective of a “seven and a half” year old is so spot-on that you’ll find yourself remembering what it was like to be that age. I have read that not being able to find books containing characters she could relate to frustrated Cleary as a child; she went on to earn a library science degree and spent a lot of time around children who felt the same way she did. In writing her books, Cleary created a world of wonderful characters and stories that children could relate to for decades, and I would just like to say THANK YOU!!
Much to my utter amazement, there is a new (to me) Ramona book that came out in 1999 called “Ramona’s World”. I will be adding this one to my To Read list!
Much to my utter amazement, there is a new (to me) Ramona book that came out in 1999 called “Ramona’s World”. I will be adding this one to my To Read list!
May 20, 2018
The Ramona books were a big part of my childhood reading, but I hadn't revisited Ramona and Her Mother in a couple of decades. Boy does this book hold up! When I played the audiobook for my kids on a road trip, I laughed and cried. And I didn't even particularly like this narrator (Stockard Channing), so full credit goes to Beverly Clearly, who is a genius at understanding the soul of a child. I can't think of a fictional character who is more real and more lovable than Ramona Quimby. Every word rings true.
My kids loved the book too.
My kids loved the book too.
January 17, 2022
This is at times a touching, funny, relatable tale of Ramona when she is 7 and a half.
Beverly Cleary as an amazing talent for writting about everyday life in an amusing, way, but also writes about life's little hardships that don't seem so little when you are living them.
Enjoyed this book immensely!
Beverly Cleary as an amazing talent for writting about everyday life in an amusing, way, but also writes about life's little hardships that don't seem so little when you are living them.
Enjoyed this book immensely!
September 30, 2022
3,5 stars - Nederlandse hardcover
Terug naar minibieb groenveldsingel.
Terug naar minibieb groenveldsingel.
March 11, 2025
I really did not expect to love these books so much, but they are fabulous. Well written, great pacing, and somehow both character and plot driven at the same time. When my kids read these over and over (thanks to their Yoto cards) I expected that they’d be quaint and dated, and while they are dated in some ways, the universality of the human experience shines through so much brighter than many contemporary books that are trying to do too much. I loved that this book addressed family dynamics related to quarreling (between parents, between children, and between parents and children) as well as realistic fears of identity and belonging. I can’t wait to read the next one.
March 25, 2023
“Ramona and her mother” is a novel that consists of seven chapters and follows the Quimby family as they various life changes.
In chapter one, “A Present for Willa Jean,”the Quimby family (which consists of mom, dad, teenaged sister Beatrice aka Beezus, and seven and a half year old Ramona)) is preparing a New Year’s Day brunch with their neighbors to celebrate Me. Qumiby finding a job at the local market after being out of work for several months. Ramona is tasked with watching Willa Jean, the little sister of her best friend Howie Kemp. Since Ramona likes giving gifts, she decides to give Willa Jean a gift to keep her busy and to seem generous by the visiting adults. Ramona’s gift to Willa Jean ends badly and Ramona is upset when she overhears others say that Willa Jean reminds them of Ramona when she was younger.
In chapter two, “Slacks for Ella Funt,” Ramona’s father goes to work at the market checkout counter and his schedule leads to changes within the family regarding the use of their car and where Ramona and Beezus go after school. Ramona longs for the days before her mother started working at a doctors office. Ramona attempts to bond with her mother by sewing together and wants her mother to stop working but she reminds Ramona that they fell behind on bills with dad out of job and she likes her job. Despite wanting to be viewed as mature, as a seven an half years old, she still behaves in childish ways such a squeezing all of the toothpaste from a tube of toothpaste.
In chapter three, “Nobody Likes Ramona,” Ramona feels like the entire family is picking on her. Ramona doesn’t understand why their dad doesn’t get another job and Beezus tells Ramona that their dad’s prospects would’ve been better if he’d finished college rather than marrying their mom and having Beezus. Ramona feels that her teacher doesn’t like her because she doesn’t give her extra help during spelling. Playing with her friend Howie leads to an embarrassing situation for both Ramona and Howie and a dangerous situation for Willa Jean. Ramona gets worried when her parents and sister are late picking her up from the Kemps’ house.
In chapter four,” The Quarrel,” the family returns home after a long and tiring day at work to discover that dinner is not being ready due to the crockpot was not being pulled in all day. This forgotten plugged crockpot leads to a quarrel between the two parents which causes Beezus and Ramona to worry that their parents might get divorced. Ramona and Beezus are shocked when their parents are on friendly terms in the morning and shares that grown-ups are supposed to be perfect. Their parents reassured the girls that all is well between them and no adults are perfect.
In chapter five, “The Great Hair Argument,” Ramona’s mother is giving the girls a haircut when Beezus informs her mother that she is forgoing the homemade haircut in favor of paying for a professional haircut instead. After much convincing, Beezus’ her mother agrees to let her get her hair cut by someone outside of their house. While Beezus was initially excited about getting her hair cut, it ends in disaster while Ramona has a delightful experience.
In chapter six, “Ramona’s New Pajamas,” Ramona’s mother gives her a new pair of pajamas after outgrowing her old ones. Ramona loves her new pajamas so much, she decides to wear them to school underneath her clothes which leads to her being tired and overheated but also creates a moment of trust with her teacher.
In chapter seven, “The Telephone Call,” Ramona is proud of being about to write her signature in cursive. Ramona is saddened when she realizes that she left her pajamas in her desk at school and plots to keep the secret hidden. A phone call from Ramona’s teacher leads Ramona feeling furious and betrayed so she lashes out at her family. Ramona expresses how no one likes her, not even the family cat but Beezus responds to that statement that Ramona is actually the one who gets all of the attention. Ramona doesn’t like her parents feeling bad for Beezus and decides to shock her parents by saying she’s running away. After her mother helps her to pack her things, Ramona is left even more shocked and confused by her mother’s behavior. Ramona realizes that her mother truly loves and expresses that she can’t live without her. After Ramona and her mother have made amends, and her mother shares that her dad will be returning to school to get a better job that he likes.
Although this novel was published in 1979, it has timeless themes of a family working together to make ends meet, having to make food stretch until payday, and the desire of children to be mature despite being young. I did feel nostalgia when reading about gelatin salads, having to go to bed early, and TV catchphrases “the devil made me do it” and “Rolaids spell relief.”
In chapter one, “A Present for Willa Jean,”the Quimby family (which consists of mom, dad, teenaged sister Beatrice aka Beezus, and seven and a half year old Ramona)) is preparing a New Year’s Day brunch with their neighbors to celebrate Me. Qumiby finding a job at the local market after being out of work for several months. Ramona is tasked with watching Willa Jean, the little sister of her best friend Howie Kemp. Since Ramona likes giving gifts, she decides to give Willa Jean a gift to keep her busy and to seem generous by the visiting adults. Ramona’s gift to Willa Jean ends badly and Ramona is upset when she overhears others say that Willa Jean reminds them of Ramona when she was younger.
In chapter two, “Slacks for Ella Funt,” Ramona’s father goes to work at the market checkout counter and his schedule leads to changes within the family regarding the use of their car and where Ramona and Beezus go after school. Ramona longs for the days before her mother started working at a doctors office. Ramona attempts to bond with her mother by sewing together and wants her mother to stop working but she reminds Ramona that they fell behind on bills with dad out of job and she likes her job. Despite wanting to be viewed as mature, as a seven an half years old, she still behaves in childish ways such a squeezing all of the toothpaste from a tube of toothpaste.
In chapter three, “Nobody Likes Ramona,” Ramona feels like the entire family is picking on her. Ramona doesn’t understand why their dad doesn’t get another job and Beezus tells Ramona that their dad’s prospects would’ve been better if he’d finished college rather than marrying their mom and having Beezus. Ramona feels that her teacher doesn’t like her because she doesn’t give her extra help during spelling. Playing with her friend Howie leads to an embarrassing situation for both Ramona and Howie and a dangerous situation for Willa Jean. Ramona gets worried when her parents and sister are late picking her up from the Kemps’ house.
In chapter four,” The Quarrel,” the family returns home after a long and tiring day at work to discover that dinner is not being ready due to the crockpot was not being pulled in all day. This forgotten plugged crockpot leads to a quarrel between the two parents which causes Beezus and Ramona to worry that their parents might get divorced. Ramona and Beezus are shocked when their parents are on friendly terms in the morning and shares that grown-ups are supposed to be perfect. Their parents reassured the girls that all is well between them and no adults are perfect.
In chapter five, “The Great Hair Argument,” Ramona’s mother is giving the girls a haircut when Beezus informs her mother that she is forgoing the homemade haircut in favor of paying for a professional haircut instead. After much convincing, Beezus’ her mother agrees to let her get her hair cut by someone outside of their house. While Beezus was initially excited about getting her hair cut, it ends in disaster while Ramona has a delightful experience.
In chapter six, “Ramona’s New Pajamas,” Ramona’s mother gives her a new pair of pajamas after outgrowing her old ones. Ramona loves her new pajamas so much, she decides to wear them to school underneath her clothes which leads to her being tired and overheated but also creates a moment of trust with her teacher.
In chapter seven, “The Telephone Call,” Ramona is proud of being about to write her signature in cursive. Ramona is saddened when she realizes that she left her pajamas in her desk at school and plots to keep the secret hidden. A phone call from Ramona’s teacher leads Ramona feeling furious and betrayed so she lashes out at her family. Ramona expresses how no one likes her, not even the family cat but Beezus responds to that statement that Ramona is actually the one who gets all of the attention. Ramona doesn’t like her parents feeling bad for Beezus and decides to shock her parents by saying she’s running away. After her mother helps her to pack her things, Ramona is left even more shocked and confused by her mother’s behavior. Ramona realizes that her mother truly loves and expresses that she can’t live without her. After Ramona and her mother have made amends, and her mother shares that her dad will be returning to school to get a better job that he likes.
Although this novel was published in 1979, it has timeless themes of a family working together to make ends meet, having to make food stretch until payday, and the desire of children to be mature despite being young. I did feel nostalgia when reading about gelatin salads, having to go to bed early, and TV catchphrases “the devil made me do it” and “Rolaids spell relief.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
I read this book when I was a child and now I read most of it to Ruby. She actually read some of it aloud to me! She really enjoys the Ramona books (just like I did when I was her age).
June 20, 2021
Ramona and Her Mother
A HA! THIS one must have been my favorite and my memories all jumbled up. I also think I'm remembering the TV show which combined elements from the various novels.
Ramona is 7 1/2 "right now" and trying to be grown up. She's outgrown her pest phase but still struggles with impulse control and tantrums. She hasn't yet learned to communicate her feelings. I like seeing her progression of growing up. She WANTS to grow up and be more mature and that's the thing that should count in her mind. While she'd LOVE to take apart a box of Kleenex, she knows she CAN'T without getting in trouble. Ramona's mishaps aren't totally her fault.
As the youngest, she doesn't know how to deal with Willa Jean. I think it's a big compliment to Ramona that Willa Jean is just like her, however the elder Mrs. Kemp is a terrible primary caregiver. She indulges Willa Jean and never disciplines the girl. The Quimbys did try to control Ramona here and there. Ramona needs to learn the fastest way to get a toddler to drop the thing you want is bait and switch. It's too funny watching Ramona try to play checkers with Howie and Willa Jean interrupting. History repeats itself. Ramona doesn't even remember being a pest when her sister and Henry were trying to play.
Ramona's feelings are, as usual, very relatable. Her problems have gotten bigger now she's older. She's realized her parents fight and that's a very scary thing for a child. Even Beezus is worried. It's sweet when the sisters rely on each other in their fear for their future.
Miss Whaley seems like a fun teacher after the dud Ramona had last year. Any teacher who describes her name in animal terms should be a kindred spirit with Ramona. Of course there are miscommunications and her nuisance comment was an honest mistake. I'm not sure I would have understood what she meant if I didn't remember the book so well.
Ramona's father has a lively sense of humor. I think he can relate to Ramona and was probably a lot like her. That would explain all his grandmother's maxims.
Beezus is in the midst of puberty and very unpleasant-more than usual. The figure skater on TV must be Dorothy Hamill. Everyone wanted her signature haircut back in the day! Poor Beezus. Life isn't fair especially for pre-teens and teenagers.
I loved this book so much when I was a kid! I still have vivid memories of some of the incidents. Rereading this brings me back to being 8 again and I was so enchanted. I could relate a lot to Ramona and I'm sure I was influenced by her as well.
A HA! THIS one must have been my favorite and my memories all jumbled up. I also think I'm remembering the TV show which combined elements from the various novels.
Ramona is 7 1/2 "right now" and trying to be grown up. She's outgrown her pest phase but still struggles with impulse control and tantrums. She hasn't yet learned to communicate her feelings. I like seeing her progression of growing up. She WANTS to grow up and be more mature and that's the thing that should count in her mind. While she'd LOVE to take apart a box of Kleenex, she knows she CAN'T without getting in trouble. Ramona's mishaps aren't totally her fault.
As the youngest, she doesn't know how to deal with Willa Jean. I think it's a big compliment to Ramona that Willa Jean is just like her, however the elder Mrs. Kemp is a terrible primary caregiver. She indulges Willa Jean and never disciplines the girl. The Quimbys did try to control Ramona here and there. Ramona needs to learn the fastest way to get a toddler to drop the thing you want is bait and switch. It's too funny watching Ramona try to play checkers with Howie and Willa Jean interrupting. History repeats itself. Ramona doesn't even remember being a pest when her sister and Henry were trying to play.
Ramona's feelings are, as usual, very relatable. Her problems have gotten bigger now she's older. She's realized her parents fight and that's a very scary thing for a child. Even Beezus is worried. It's sweet when the sisters rely on each other in their fear for their future.
Miss Whaley seems like a fun teacher after the dud Ramona had last year. Any teacher who describes her name in animal terms should be a kindred spirit with Ramona. Of course there are miscommunications and her nuisance comment was an honest mistake. I'm not sure I would have understood what she meant if I didn't remember the book so well.
Ramona's father has a lively sense of humor. I think he can relate to Ramona and was probably a lot like her. That would explain all his grandmother's maxims.
Beezus is in the midst of puberty and very unpleasant-more than usual. The figure skater on TV must be Dorothy Hamill. Everyone wanted her signature haircut back in the day! Poor Beezus. Life isn't fair especially for pre-teens and teenagers.
I loved this book so much when I was a kid! I still have vivid memories of some of the incidents. Rereading this brings me back to being 8 again and I was so enchanted. I could relate a lot to Ramona and I'm sure I was influenced by her as well.
December 26, 2024
Okay, but not one of my favorites. The book feels like it wants to be mainly about Beezus rather than Ramona, and Ramona acknowledges right in the text that she is a daddy's girl, so the book's very existence feels forced. The chapter where they go to the hair salon makes me cringe, and I am not a fan of the ending. Hmm... sounds like I should be giving this two stars instead of three, but it is still Ramona and it is still Beverly Cleary, so it is still a fun read.
July 11, 2024
Absolutely loved this revisit. Ramona's desire to know she's loved and that her family wants her is so real, and her debacles make so much sense from within her POV. Cleary is the master.
December 24, 2024
Can it be?
This is the first entry in the Ramona series that felt a bit underwhelming; lacking in the charm and insight that the other books provide. Not to say it was bad, just less enjoyable by comparison. Perhaps Cleary was starting to run out of ideas at this point or maybe this was some kind of fluke.
I'm still holding out hope for the remaining 3 Ramona books.
This is the first entry in the Ramona series that felt a bit underwhelming; lacking in the charm and insight that the other books provide. Not to say it was bad, just less enjoyable by comparison. Perhaps Cleary was starting to run out of ideas at this point or maybe this was some kind of fluke.
I'm still holding out hope for the remaining 3 Ramona books.
February 10, 2025
One of my reading challenges was to reread a favorite childhood book - so it must be Ramona Quimby! I am reminded why I loved Beverly Cleary’s writing… she writes such imaginative, innocent, compassionate and empathetic characters. I may reread all of my Ramona books now!
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