Ramona (novel series)

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Ramona Book Series
Ramona Quimby Collection box set.jpg
AuthorBeverly Cleary
IllustratorTracy Dockray/Louis Darling/Alan Tiegreen
SeriesRamona Quimby Series
GenreRealistic Fiction
PublisherHarperCollins

The Ramona books are a series of eight humorous children's novels by Beverly Cleary that center on Ramona Quimby, her family and friends. The first book, Beezus and Ramona , appeared in 1955. The final book, Ramona's World , was published in 1999. Two books in the series were named Newbery Honor books, Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 . Ramona and Her Mother received the National Book Award. Sometimes known as the Beezus and Ramona series, as of 2012, the books were being marketed by HarperCollins as "The Complete Ramona Collection".

Contents

Background

The Ramona books grew out of Cleary's earlier Henry Huggins series and take place in the same neighborhood. In the Henry Huggins books Beezus was one of Henry's friends, and her younger sister Ramona was generally a pest to Henry, Beezus and the other children.

It occurred to Cleary (while writing Henry Huggins) that all of the characters she had created thus far had no brothers or sisters. "Someone should have a sibling," she wrote in My Own Two Feet, "so I tossed in a little sister to explain Beezus's nickname. When it came time to name the sister, I overheard a neighbor call out to another whose name was Ramona. I wrote in "Ramona," made several references to her, gave her one brief scene, and thought that was the end of her. Little did I dream, to use a trite expression from books of my childhood, that she would take over books of her own." [1]

In 1955, after finishing three Henry books, Cleary wrote Beezus and Ramona , a novel in which Beezus was the central character. The plot revolved around fourth grade Beezus' frustrations with her younger sister. Then in 1968, having concluded the Henry Huggins series, Cleary returned to focus on the two sisters in Ramona the Pest . It became the foundation book of the Ramona series. As publisher, writer and reviewer Anita Silvey says, "It was almost inevitable that Cleary would publish a series of books about this boisterous yet appealing character." [2]

Ramona the Pest, like the remaining books in the series, is written from Ramona's point of view. In Ramona the Pest Ramona enters kindergarten. The succeeding books follow her as she grows up and advances through school, usually at the rate of one grade over two books. Written from the 1950s through the 1990s, dates aren't mentioned in the books, and the children are designed to appeal to real children in any time period. The last Ramona book, Ramona's World, was published in 1999, 15 years after the previous one.

Series

Beezus and Ramona (1955)
This is the only book in the series written from older sister Beezus' point of view. In the book, Beezus is struggling with her feelings for her annoying younger sister Ramona. Ramona exasperates Beezus with her high spirits and wild imagination. Ramona scribbles all over a library book, gets Ribsy locked in the bathroom, and disrupts Beezus' art class. Finally Beezus realizes it is possible to love her sister, even when she doesn't always like her.
Ramona the Pest (1968)
Ramona and her neighbor Howie are going to kindergarten, and Miss Binney is their teacher. Ramona knows that she has been described as a pest, but she doesn't see herself that way, and in this book she tries very hard to be good and follow the rules. But sometimes she has a difficult time controlling herself, and one day she gets sent home from school for pulling her classmate's hair. Convinced her teacher doesn't like her, Ramona refuses to return until a very special letter from her teacher brings her back.
Ramona the Brave (1975)
Ramona sees herself as fearless, and is sometimes surprised to realize that others don't agree. It's the summer after kindergarten, and things are changing at the Quimby house. Ramona prepares to enter the first grade, Mrs. Quimby has a part-time job, and the family is having an extra bedroom added on to the house. Ramona bravely confronts bullies at the play ground and a mean dog on her way to school, but she isn't prepared for how scary it feels going to sleep in the brand new bedroom - alone.
Ramona and Her Father (1977)
Mr. Quimby loses his job and Ramona, now in the second grade, has some great ideas on how to earn some extra money to help out. She also decides it's time he stopped smoking, and she'll help him with that, too. By the time the church Christmas pageant arrives Ramona is feeling neglected. But the evening she was dreading turns into a success that brings the family together again. This installment was a Newbery Honor book. [3]
Ramona and Her Mother (1979)
Still in the second grade, Ramona starts to become jealous of her mother and Beezus, because they seem to share things she can't, like sewing and cooking. She's too young to stay home alone when her parents are at work, but she's tired of going to the Kemps' after school. At home, her parents are arguing, and the girls worry about who will take care of them if they get a divorce. Eventually Ramona learns that her family has problems like everyone else's, but they still love each other. This installment received a National Book Award. [4]
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (1981)
In this book Ramona Quimby is learning to take responsibility for herself. She is in the third grade at a new school, and making some new friends, like "Yard Ape", who rides her bus and sits behind her in class. Her family is counting on her to manage at school by herself and get along with Willa Jean after school every day. The fact that she handles everything so well shows that Ramona is maturing. This installment was a Newbery Honor book. [3]
Ramona Forever (1984)
In this book Ramona realizes change is inevitable, but she will always be herself. Beezus and Ramona don't like Howie's visiting Uncle Hobart, and Ramona is tired of being blamed when Willa Jean causes trouble. The sisters persuade their parents to let them stay home alone after school on a trial basis, but a misunderstanding causes trouble between them. When they find their cat Picky-Picky dead in the basement, and realize that their mother is pregnant, they learn to work together. Then Aunt Bea gets engaged to Uncle Hobart, and the family has only two weeks to plan a wedding. Finally, baby Roberta arrives, and Ramona realizes she's enjoying growing up.
Ramona's World (1999)
Ramona's world is expanding, and it doesn't revolve as much around her family as it used to. There's a new girl in fourth grade, Daisy Kidd, and she and Ramona are best friends. Mrs. Quimby is staying home again, taking care of baby Roberta, and Ramona is trying to be a good role model for her little sister, while sharing her mother's attention. Now in high school, Beezus has new friends too, and is interested in boys. Even as baby Roberta arrives, the older Quimby sisters are developing new interests.
As of 2012 the series has had three illustrators: Louis Darling, Alan Tiegreen and Tracy Dockray. The books are available separately and in boxed sets. [5] They have also been published as audiobooks read by Stockard Channing.
The Ramona Quimby Diary
This is an activity book containing quotes and illustrations from all the Ramona books. [6]

Ramona's characterization

Librarian Kathleen Odean appreciates Ramona's fearless attitude, calling her "irrepressible" and saying "She represents the kind of girl who has not been subdued by adults or the world in general." [7] Twentieth-Century Children's Writers cites Ramona's "spunk, her impermeable but often ambivalent bond to Beezus, and her unsurpassed creativity... (Cleary) never sacrifices Ramona's integrity or intelligence".

Part of the appeal of the series is watching Ramona grow up. Cleary's writing has been praised for its ability to show her main character maturing: "Throughout the series, Cleary depicts Ramona's emotional development as well as her adventures and misadventures." [1] Anita Silvey calls Ramona "Cleary's most developed characterization, a child at once ordinary and extraordinary." [2]

Critical reception

Generally critics have been positive about all the Ramona books, pointing out the pleasure readers derive from watching Ramona grow up in the series. "Cleary outlines Ramona's joys and sorrows in a manner considered both poignant and hilarious" [1] In Twentieth-Century Children's Writers, Cathryn Mercier praises Cleary's accomplishments through the series as a whole. "Through Ramona, Cleary touches young readers on an emotional level which engages and challenges, but does not overwhelm. Her ability to sustain their attention over time, from book to book, remains an accomplishment beyond evaluation." [1]

Though now considered a standard for realistic children's fiction, Beverly Cleary's books were unique in their time. "Ramona's complexity was something unusual in children's literature. Seen through the eyes of any other character, she could be a real nuisance. But when Cleary wrote from Ramona's point of view, all of the little girl's actions made perfect sense." [8] They are still valued today, as Julia Doubt writes, and read around the world. [lower-alpha 1] [9] "It is greatly significant that today the Ramona series still sells in many languages and countries across the globe - reaching out to ordinary kids (and their annoying little sisters) - and their extraordinary common misunderstandings about the world - everywhere." [10] As The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators says, Beverly Cleary "remains one of those rare authors who are both critically acclaimed and immensely popular with young readers." [2]

Adaptations

Cleary's Ramona books have been adapted for Canadian television as Ramona . The 10-part Canadian television series starred Sarah Polley as Ramona and Lori Chodos as Beezus. [11]

They were also made into the American movie Ramona and Beezus , released on July 23, 2010, starring Joey King as Ramona and Selena Gomez as Beezus. [12] Although the film jumps from book to book, the plot mainly focuses on the seventh book in the series, Ramona Forever.

Characters

The Quimbys and Kemps
The Huggins family
The Kidds
Klickitat Street
Glenwood and Cedarhurst Schools

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ As of 2010, the Ramona series is available in a low of six (Beezus and Ramona), and a high of eleven (Ramona and her Father), languages.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverly Cleary</span> American writer (1916–2021)

Beverly 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Huggins</span> Fictional character

Henry Huggins is a character appearing in a series of children's literature novels by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling, and first appearing in Henry Huggins. He is a young boy living on Klickitat Street in Portland, Oregon. In the novels, he is in elementary school. The novels take place in the 1950s, which is when Cleary wrote most of the books. The books describe adventures that he experiences in his neighborhood and his interactions with other neighborhood children. He has a dog named Ribsy and a part-time job doing a paper route in North Portland.

<i>Ramona the Pest</i> 1968 novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona the Pest, by Beverly Cleary, is the second book of the Ramona series and the first to focus on Ramona Quimby as the protagonist. This children's book chronicles the adventures of Ramona's first few months at kindergarten. The book's title is derived from the characterization of Ramona as a "pest" by many, including her older sister Beatrice, known as "Beezus." Ramona the Pest was first published in 1968 and featured illustrations by Louis Darling. Other illustrators have since updated Ramona the Pest, including Alan Tiegreen, Tracy Dockray, and Jacqueline Rogers.

<i>Henry and Ribsy</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Henry and Ribsy is the third book in the Henry Huggins series of humorous children's novels written by Beverly Cleary. Henry's dad has promised to take him salmon fishing on one condition – he has to keep his dog Ribsy out of trouble for two months. That's not easy to do, especially when Ramona Quimby gets involved. First published in 1954, Henry and Ribsy was originally illustrated by Louis Darling.

<i>Ramona the Brave</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona the Brave is a children's novel written by Beverly Cleary. It is the third book in the Ramona series, and follows Ramona Quimby and her classmates going into first grade. Ramona the Brave was first published in 1975, seven years after Ramona the Pest. It was originally illustrated by Alan Tiegreen.

<i>Ramona and Her Father</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Father is the fourth book in Beverly Cleary's popular Ramona Quimby series. In this humorous children's novel, Mr. Quimby loses his job and Ramona thinks up ways to earn money and help her family out. Published in 1977, Ramona and Her Father was a Newbery Honor Book.

<i>Ramona and Her Mother</i> 1978 novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary is the fifth book of the popular Ramona series. Mr. Quimby has found another job, though it is one he does not like very much. Ramona finds herself caught between being too young to stay home alone and too old to enjoy playing with pesky Willa Jean. She is trying to grow up, but sometimes it seems like her family is making it harder. Ramona and Her Mother won the 1981 National Book Award.

<i>Ramona Quimby, Age 8</i> 1981 novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (1981) is a novel by Beverly Cleary in the Ramona series. Ramona Quimby is in the third grade, now at a new school, and making some new friends. With Beezus in Jr. High and Mr. Quimby going back to college, Ramona feels the pressure with everyone counting on her to manage at school by herself and get along with Willa Jean after school every day. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 was named a Newbery Honor book in 1982.

<i>Ramona Forever</i> 1984 childrens novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona Forever is a humorous children's novel written by Beverly Cleary. The seventh book in the Ramona Quimby series, it continues the story of Ramona, her older sister, Beezus, and their family. They are finally old enough to stay home together, and they work hard to get along. Mrs. Quimby is expecting a baby and Aunt Bea gets engaged in a book that sees Ramona coping with growing up. It was originally published in 1984.

Beatrice Ann "Beezus" Quimby is a character from the Henry Huggins and Ramona series of books by Beverly Cleary. She is the friend of Henry and Mary Jane and the older sister of Ramona and Roberta. Beezus earned her nickname from Ramona, who had a hard time saying "Beatrice" as a toddler. Beezus' real name comes from her Aunt Beatrice, her mother's sister, for whom Beezus has a deep admiration and whom she idolizes.

Ramona Geraldine Quimby is a fictional character in an eponymous series of novels by Beverly Cleary. She starts out in the Henry Huggins series as the pestering younger sister of Henry's new best friend Beatrice, called "Beezus" by Ramona and her family. She was then given a larger role in the novel Beezus and Ramona and became the protagonist of her own book in Ramona the Pest.

<i>Ramonas World</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona's World is the eighth book in the Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary. Ramona and her sister Beezus are growing up. Ramona is in the fourth grade now, and for the first time she has a best girl-friend, Daisy Kidd. At home she tries her best to be a good role model for her baby sister Roberta, but finds baby sitting harder than she expected. Published in 1999, Ramona's World was written fifteen years after its predecessor, Ramona Forever. It was the last published installment in the series, as well as the last book Cleary published before her death in 2021.

Tracy Dockray is an American artist. She illustrated the current HarperCollins editions of Beverly Cleary's children's novels.

Ramona is a Canadian children's television series which followed the life of eight-year-old title character Ramona Quimby. It was based on the Ramona book series by Beverly Cleary.

<i>Beezus and Ramona</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona is a 1955 children's novel written by Beverly Cleary. It is the first of Cleary's books to focus on Ramona Quimby and her sister Beatrice, known as Beezus. Beezus and Ramona is realistic fiction, written from nine-year-old Beezus's point of view, as she struggles to get along with her four-year-old sister. Eventually becoming the first book of the Ramona series, it was originally illustrated by Louis Darling; later editions were illustrated by Alan Tiegreen and then by Tracy Dockray.

Henry Huggins is the first book in the Henry Huggins series of children's novels, written by Beverly Cleary. Henry is an ordinary boy who manages to get into funny scrapes with his dog, Ribsy. The book was originally illustrated by Louis Darling and later by Tracy Dockray. According to the author, Beverly Cleary, back in 1949, when she wrote it, she declared that she was surprised to have written it at all.

<i>Ramona and Beezus</i> 2010 film by Elizabeth Allen

Ramona and Beezus is a 2010 American comedy-drama film based on the Ramona series of novels written by Beverly Cleary. It was directed by Elizabeth Allen, co-produced by Dune Entertainment, Di Novi Pictures, and Walden Media, written by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay, and produced by Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan with music by Mark Mothersbaugh. The film stars Joey King and Selena Gomez. Though the film's title is derived from Beezus and Ramona, the first of Cleary's Ramona books, the plot is mostly based on the sequels Ramona Forever and Ramona's World.

<i>Henry and the Paper Route</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Henry and the Paper Route is a book of Henry Huggins series that was written by Beverly Cleary and illustrated by Louis Darling. It was written in 1957 and focused on the main character Henry Huggins' attempts to get a paper route, despite his young age.

<i>Henry and Beezus</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Henry and Beezus is the second book in the Henry Huggins series. This humorous children's novel was written by Beverly Cleary and published in 1952. Henry comes up with many ways to earn money for the new red bicycle he wants, but they all seem to end up with him in trouble. Finally his friend Beezus gives him an idea that actually works.

<i>Henry and the Clubhouse</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Henry and the Clubhouse, by Beverly Cleary, is the fifth book in Henry Huggins series. Now that he has the paper route he wanted so badly in the previous book, Henry and the Paper Route, Henry finds that it's harder than he expected. His earnings are going for the clubhouse he and his friends are building. One of the boys insists that it be a "Boys Only" club, and that causes trouble with Henry's friend Beezus Quimby and her little sister Ramona. Henry and the Clubhouse was published in 1962.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Beverly Cleary Biographical Essay". Educational Book and Media Assoc. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  2. 1 2 3 Silvey, Anita (editor), The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators, Houghton Mifflin, 2002, pg. 90;
  3. 1 2 "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". 30 November 1999.
  4. ↑ "National Book Award". Award History. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  5. ↑ "Editions". Ramona Books. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
  6. ↑ Cleary, Beverly, The Ramona Quimby Diary, HarperCollins, 1984.
  7. ↑ Odean, Kathleen, Great Books for Girls, Random House, 1997 pg. 153.
  8. ↑ Association, Mark Stewart, UW Alumni. "September 2008 Columns Magazine Feature: Beverly Cleary: Kids Like Us".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "Beverly Cleary Editions". Worldcat. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
  10. ↑ Eccleshare, Julia, (editor), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, Universe Publishing, 2009, pg. 277.
  11. ↑ "Ramona".
  12. ↑ "20th Century Fox - Trailers - Movies In Theaters and Coming Soon".
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