Ramona's World facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Beverly Cleary |
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| Cover artist | Alan Tiegreen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Ramona |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
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Publication date
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August 25, 1999 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 209 pp |
| ISBN | 0-380-73272-6 |
| OCLC | 46365349 |
| Preceded by | Ramona Forever -1984 |
Ramona's World is the eighth book in the popular Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary. In this story, Ramona and her older sister Beezus are growing up fast. Ramona is now in the fourth grade. For the first time, she has a best friend named Daisy Kidd. At home, Ramona tries her best to be a good big sister to her baby sister, Roberta. But she finds taking care of a baby is harder than she thought!
This book was published in 1999. It came out fifteen years after the previous book, Ramona Forever. Ramona's World was the last book in the series. It was also the last book Beverly Cleary ever published before she retired. She passed away on March 25, 2021.
Contents
Ramona's Changing World
Ramona's life is full of changes. At home, there is a tiny new baby named Roberta. Ramona is learning to be a big sister. She even teaches Roberta to stick out her tongue!
At school, Ramona is in fourth grade. She finally has a best friend, Daisy Kidd. Daisy is new to the neighborhood and new to Ramona's school. Ramona's teacher, Mrs. Meacham, wants everyone to be good at spelling. Spelling is hard for Ramona. Mrs. Meacham also finds a note that Ramona's friend, Yard Ape, wrote to her. After that, Yard Ape is too shy to play or talk with Ramona.
Beezus Grows Up
Beezus is 14 years old and starting high school. She begins speaking French at home. Beezus spends a lot of time on the phone. She talks about boys and asks her friends who she should date. This makes Ramona feel a bit left out and annoyed. Ramona also feels forgotten because her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Quimby, are always busy with baby Roberta.
Beezus decides to get her ears pierced. Her parents are happy that she is growing up. Beezus nervously goes to a party where boys are invited. It turns out the boys stay outside the whole time. The girls play inside and everyone has fun.
Adventures with Daisy
Ramona and Daisy love to play dress-up at Daisy's house. One day, their play turns into a funny accident. Ramona falls through a hole in the attic floor! She dangles into the kitchen. Daisy's older brother, Jeremy, helps pull her out. Ramona is surprised that Daisy takes the blame. Daisy's mom is not even mad.
Later, Ramona takes care of the Kidds' cat. The Kidd family goes on vacation for a week. Ramona learns that taking care of a cat is not as easy as it looks.
Ramona and Susan
Ramona's rivalry with Susan continues. Susan has been Ramona's rival since kindergarten. Ramona gets frustrated by Susan's perfect attitude. Ramona's mom makes her invite Susan to her "zeroteen" birthday party. The party is at the park.
Susan brings an apple instead of eating the birthday cake. Her mom worries about germs. The other girls tease Susan. Mrs. Quimby comforts her. Finally, Susan decides to eat a slice of cake. Ramona realizes she feels sorry for Susan. Susan's mom expects her to always be perfect. Ramona gives the leftover cake to Yard Ape and his friends. They are also playing at the park. Ramona decides it's a perfect day, or at least close enough!
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the characters you will meet in the book:
- Ramona Quimby: She is 9 years old and the main character. She is Beezus and Roberta's sister.
- Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby: She is Ramona and Roberta's 14-year-old older sister.
- Dorothy Quimby: Ramona's mother.
- Robert Quimby: Ramona's father.
- Daisy Kidd: A new girl in the neighborhood who becomes Ramona's best friend.
- Jeremy Kidd: Daisy's older brother. He and Beezus seem to like each other.
- Howard "Howie" Kemp: Ramona's childhood friend and now her cousin.
- Danny (nicknamed "Yard Ape"): Ramona's friend from school.
- Roberta Day Quimby: Beezus and Ramona's baby sister.
- Mrs. Meacham: Ramona's fourth-grade teacher.
- Susan Kushner: Ramona's rival since kindergarten. Ramona's mom often wants them to be friends again.
What People Thought of the Book
People who reviewed books really liked Ramona's World. For example, Kirkus Reviews said that Ramona is "as feisty as ever." They also said that Beverly Cleary is great at showing all the little details of fourth grade. The review mentioned how Ramona feels when she tries to spell words. She goes from sad to happy, and from hurt to proud.
The review also noted that the book shows a happy family life. It doesn't have the tough problems sometimes seen in the 1990s. It offers a calm and timeless story for children.
The Last Ramona Book
Ramona's World is the last book Beverly Cleary published. In the book, Ramona stays at age 10. Her sister, Beezus, is 14 and starting high school. Beverly Cleary said she was happy to leave Ramona before she became a teenager. She felt writers should know when to stop.
In an interview from 1995, Cleary believed Ramona would "be all right" when she grew up. She thought Ramona would do something creative. Ramona liked to draw, just like her father. Cleary said that children often follow their parents' interests.
Different Ways to Enjoy the Book
Ramona's World is available in many forms:
- Audio: You can listen to the story on cassette, CD, and as an eAudiobook.
- Print: The book is available in regular print and also in Braille. You can also read it as an e-Book.
- Worldwide: By 2010, Ramona's World had been published in 53 different versions. It was also translated into 7 languages around the world.
