Ramona (novel series) facts for kids
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| Author | Beverly Cleary |
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| Illustrator | Tracy Dockray |
| Series | Ramona Quimby Series |
| Genre | Realistic Fiction |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
The Ramona books are a popular series of eight funny children's novels by Beverly Cleary. They tell the stories of Ramona Quimby, her family, and her friends. The first book, Beezus and Ramona, came out in 1955. The last book, Ramona's World, was published in 1999.
Two books in the series, Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8, were honored as Newbery Honor books. Ramona and Her Mother won the National Book Award. Sometimes called the Beezus and Ramona series, these books are still loved by many readers today.
Contents
How Ramona's Stories Began
The Ramona books grew from Beverly Cleary's earlier Henry Huggins series. They take place in the same neighborhood. In the Henry Huggins books, Beezus was a friend of Henry. Her younger sister, Ramona, often bothered Henry, Beezus, and the other kids.
Beverly Cleary realized that her characters didn't have brothers or sisters. So, she decided to add a little sister for Beezus. She heard a neighbor call out the name "Ramona" and liked it. At first, Ramona was just a small character in one book. But soon, she became so popular that she got her own stories!
In 1955, Cleary wrote Beezus and Ramona. This book focused on Beezus and her problems with her energetic younger sister. Later, in 1968, Cleary wrote Ramona the Pest. This book became the first in the main Ramona series. It was clear that Ramona, with her lively personality, needed her own books.
Ramona the Pest and the rest of the series are told from Ramona's point of view. In Ramona the Pest, she starts kindergarten. The books then follow her as she grows up and moves through school. The stories were written over many years, from the 1950s to the 1990s. But they don't mention specific dates. This helps kids from any time period enjoy Ramona's adventures. The final Ramona book, Ramona's World, came out in 1999.
The Ramona Book Series
- Beezus and Ramona (1955)
- This is the only book told from Beezus's point of view. Beezus struggles with her feelings about her annoying younger sister, Ramona. Ramona's wild imagination and high spirits often upset Beezus. Ramona scribbles in a library book and causes trouble in Beezus's art class. Beezus finally learns that she can love her sister, even when Ramona is difficult.
- Ramona the Pest (1968)
- Ramona and her friend Howie start kindergarten. Ramona knows some people call her a "pest." But she tries hard to be good and follow the rules. Sometimes, though, she can't control herself. One day, she gets sent home for pulling a classmate's hair. Ramona thinks her teacher doesn't like her. She refuses to go back until a special letter from her teacher brings her home.
- Ramona the Brave (1975)
- Ramona sees herself as fearless. But she sometimes finds out others don't agree. It's summer after kindergarten, and things are changing for the Quimby family. Ramona gets ready for first grade. Mrs. Quimby starts a part-time job. The family also adds an extra bedroom to their house. Ramona bravely faces bullies and a mean dog. But she finds it scary to sleep alone in her new room.
- Ramona and Her Father (1977)
- Mr. Quimby loses his job. Ramona, now in second grade, has ideas to help earn money. She also decides it's time her dad stopped smoking. By the time the church Christmas play arrives, Ramona feels left out. But the evening she was worried about turns into a happy one. It brings the family closer together. This book was a Newbery Honor book.
- Ramona and Her Mother (1979)
- Still in second grade, Ramona starts to feel jealous of her mom and Beezus. They seem to share things she can't, like sewing. She's too young to stay home alone. She is tired of going to the Kemps' house after school. Her parents are arguing, and the girls worry about a divorce. Ramona learns that her family has problems, but they still love each other. This book won a National Book Award.
- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (1981)
- In this book, Ramona Quimby learns to be more responsible. She is in third grade at a new school. She makes new friends, like "Yard Ape." Her family counts on her to manage school and get along with Willa Jean. Ramona handles everything well, showing she is growing up. This book was a Newbery Honor book.
- Ramona Forever (1984)
- Ramona realizes that things change, but she will always be herself. Beezus and Ramona don't like Howie's Uncle Hobart. Ramona is tired of being blamed for Willa Jean's actions. The sisters convince their parents to let them stay home alone. But a misunderstanding causes trouble between them. Their cat, Picky-Picky, dies. They also learn their mother is pregnant. They learn to work together. Then Aunt Bea gets engaged to Uncle Hobart. The family has two weeks to plan a wedding. Finally, baby Roberta arrives. Ramona realizes she is enjoying growing up.
- Ramona's World (1999)
- Ramona's world is getting bigger. It doesn't just revolve around her family anymore. There's a new girl in fourth grade, Daisy Kidd. She and Ramona become best friends. Mrs. Quimby is home again, caring for baby Roberta. Ramona tries to be a good role model for her little sister. Beezus is in high school now. She has new friends and is interested in boys. As baby Roberta grows, the older Quimby sisters find new interests.
- The Ramona Quimby Diary
- This is an activity book. It has quotes and pictures from all the Ramona books.
TV Shows and Movies
The Ramona books have been made into TV shows and movies.
Ramona TV Series
The books were adapted for Canadian television as Ramona. This 10-part TV series starred Sarah Polley as Ramona.
Ramona and Beezus Movie
They were also made into the American movie Ramona and Beezus. It was released on July 23, 2010. Joey King played Ramona, and Selena Gomez played Beezus. The movie uses parts from different books. But it mainly focuses on the seventh book, Ramona Forever.
Main Characters
Here are some of the important characters you'll meet in the Ramona books:
The Quimby Family
- Ramona Quimby: The main character. She has short brown hair and a big imagination. Her middle name is Geraldine.
- Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby: Ramona's older sister. She is sensible and calm. Her nickname comes from Ramona saying "Beezus" instead of Beatrice when she was little. Beezus loves Ramona but sometimes gets frustrated by her actions.
- Mr. Robert "Bob" Quimby: Ramona's father. He loves to draw. He often brings home gummy bears and new erasers for his daughters. He works hard to support his family. He wants to be a teacher, but Ramona thinks he should be a cartoonist.
- Mrs. Dorothy Quimby (née Day): Ramona's mother. She works as a bookkeeper. She is calm and practical, like Beezus. She has a deep and loving bond with Ramona.
- Aunt Beatrice Day-Kemp: Mrs. Quimby's sister. She is a teacher. Beezus looks up to her. She marries Hobart Kemp later in the series. She is imaginative and says she was much like Ramona as a child.
- Grandpa Day: Mrs. Quimby and Aunt Bea's father. He helps plan Aunt Bea's wedding. His wife, Grandma Day, passed away before the first book.
- Roberta Quimby: Beezus and Ramona's baby sister. She is born at the end of Ramona Forever. Ramona is a bit jealous at first. But she learns to love her baby sister. Her middle name is Day.
- Picky-picky: The Quimbys' old cat. He usually avoids Ramona. Mrs. Quimby explains he became grumpy with age. Also, Ramona was rough with him when she was very young. As Ramona gets older, he trusts her more. He even curls up with her when she's sick. He dies in Ramona Forever.
Friends and Neighbors
- Howie Kemp: Ramona's friend. He loves building things. He becomes Ramona's cousin when his Uncle Hobart marries Aunt Beatrice. Howie is very calm and rarely gets excited.
- Willa Jean Kemp: Howie's younger sister. She is often left with Ramona. People say she acts like Ramona did when she was little. But Willa Jean doesn't seem to have Ramona's imagination.
- Grandma Kemp: Howie's grandmother. She lives in the same house. She watches Ramona, Howie, and Willa Jean after school.
- Uncle Hobart Kemp: Howie's uncle. He marries Ramona's Aunt Beatrice. He appears in Ramona Forever.
- Henry Huggins: Beezus's red-headed friend. The Ramona books started from the Henry Huggins series.
- Ribsy: Henry's dog.
- Daisy Kidd: Ramona's first friend in fourth grade. Her brother calls her 'Fence-face' because of her braces.
- Jeremy Kidd: Daisy's older brother. Daisy calls him 'Germy'. Beezus has a small crush on him in Ramona's World.
- Danny "Yard Ape": A boy who often bothers Ramona. She secretly likes him.
- Susan Kushner: Ramona's old rival. She seemed perfect but was actually a bit boring. Ramona once wanted to pull her curls in kindergarten to see them bounce.
- Davy: A shy, thin boy. Ramona used to chase him around the playground in kindergarten.
