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Summary: Fun
Review: A characteristically enjoyable Ramona book. Obviously Beverly Cleary has never forgotten what it's like to be a kid. She's very good at showing that children have feelings and thoughts of their own and how children can be both petty and noble. Also, Cleary never talks down to her young readers, using such words as "reflect" and "apparent," which not all grade-schoolers might be familiar with. I think her books are very aspirational, showing children that they can be more than they are. Ramona, to me, is the embodiment of aspiration, with her creativity, imagination, and talent for self-actualization. When I have children I will have them read all the Ramona books, especially my daughters. I want them to read about girls who are strong and self-reliant. I liked this book because it introduced the character of Yard Ape, who is described as "sturdy" and "smart and lively," the perfect foil to Ramona herself. I must say I didn't see why this book got a Newbery Honor; I enjoyed other books in the series more, like Ramona and Her Mother, and the other Newbery Honor book, Ramona and Her Father. But I still enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to readers of all ages.
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Summary: A great humorous book for ages 7-13
Review: Alison,I loved this book! Beezus reminded me of myself and Ramona reminded me of my 5 year old Brother. The book is really funny, espcially when Ramona lockes Ribsy(a dog)in the bathroom. Beverly Cleary is my favorite author. I'd definitely recommend it!
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Summary: Romana is Truly a Character
Review: Although it is easy for many of us to forget what it was like to be little it is obvious that Beverly Cleary has never suffered from this problem. She shows that children have feelings and thoughts of their own. Her skills as an author are also present in the way she regards her younger readers as intelligent individuals while teaching them that they can be more than they are with a little thought and work. Ramona is creative, imaginative, talented, and of course active just as every other eight year old would be. Not only are her active escapades entertaining, but so are her thought processes. Watch and enjoy as Ramona strugles to keep happy in some very potentialy traumatic times.
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Summary: I read these books 18 years ago...
Review: Beverly Cleary is a great author of childrens book. She is wonderful. I loved Ramona, Beezus, & Henry Huggins. Its a great childrens, teen, and adult book!
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Summary: Ramona and her Reading
Review: Cleary, Beverly. Ramona Quimby, Age 8. New York: Avon Books, 1981. Benson, Linda. "The Hidden Curriculum and the Child's New Discourse: Beverly Cleary's Ramona Goes to School. Children's-Literature-in-Education. 30.1 (1999): 9-29. Mackey, Margaret. "Ramona the Chronotope: The Young Reader and Social Theories of Narrative." Children's-Literature-in-Education. 22.2 (1981): 97-109. The Newbery Award-Winning novel, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary, paints a vivid picture of the distresses of childhood. Ramona is a tenacious third grader, learning the ins and outs of the social confines of elementary school. Evolution of her character occurs through the novel as she comes to terms with her identity and self-expression primarily by means of trail and error. Often, her energy and self-confusion is channeled through her own literacy. Literature serves as the vehicle for Ramona to focus her negative and inadequate feelings. Once she has done this successfully, she is able to share her love of literature with others. As are most third graders, Ramona is challenged to learn the social rules of the elementary school classroom. Much of this challenge stems from her own feelings of incompetence which is supplemented by her perception of herself based upon how she feels others see her. For instance, in one portion of the book, Ramona assimilates herself into the third grade by cracking and egg that she assumes is hardboiled on her head. Seconds later, it is very apparent that the egg was indeed not hardboiled. With egg oozing down her face, she trots to the school office to get cleaned up. While there, she overhears her teacher say, "What a nuisance" (Cleary 68). She is so hurt by this statement that she attempts to figuratively run from her teacher, Mrs. Whaley. "The episode again underscores Ramona's dependence on and vulnerability to what her teachers think of her: Mrs. Whaley's conversational gambit has redefined Ramona for Ramona" (Benson 24). Luckily, Ramona was able to use her reading skills to overcome her feelings of ineptitude towards Mrs. Whaley when assigned a book report. She uses her creativity to write an interactive report on a book she does not even like. After accomplishing this task, she knows within herself that she has done an exemplary job in using her ideas to "sell" this book to her class. Her newfound confidence through this process allows her to confront her teacher about her comment regarding Ramona being a nuisance. The conflict clears as Mrs. Whaley explains that she merely meant it was a nuisance to clean the egg out of her hair. Therefore, Ramona's literacy allows her to gain self-confidence, thereby mending the relationship with her teacher. Another prime example of the influence of literacy in the novel appears when Mrs. Whaley presents the idea of "Sustained Silent Reading" to her class. As Margaret Mackey points out in her article, "Ramona the Chronotope: The Young Reader and Social Theories of Narrative," this time set apart in the day to read for pleasure allows Ramona to escape from her problems and from herself. "Ramona masters words, stores, chapters, books. She reads when things are unbearable elsewhere" (Mackey). The pivotal issue surrounding Sustained Silent Reading is the fact that Ramona is able to gain independence through this endeavor. In turn, she is able to transform into a non-selfish character and share her love of literature with a younger generation. This is displayed through her interactions with her opponent, four-year-old Willa Jean Kemp. Ramona is forced to be well mannered around Willa Jean because her grandmother is Ramona's caregiver. Throughout the novel, Ramona struggles with this demand and often is displayed as an egotistical character, jealous because she is not old like her sister Beezus, nor is she young like Willa Jean. This conflict also resolves as Ramona uses her sustained silent reading as a tool to escape from having to play with Willa Jean. Gradually, Ramona realizes that she can share with Willa Jean by sharing her sustained silent reading with her. In essence, Ramona displays the true meaning of service learning, as she becomes a stronger reader through oral reading while Willa Jean benefits from her exposure to literature. Therefore, both Ramona and her relationship with Willa Jean are transformed through her ability to read and share. As has been demonstrated, literacy is used by Beverly Cleary in Ramona Quimby, Age 8 to assist in the evolution of the character of Ramona as well as a catalyst in solving conflicts. Ramona is able to comprehend her self-identity more and more as she learns to use her literacy for her benefit. Upon gaining more self-esteem through this act, she is able to resolve conflicts between her two "rivals," Mrs. Whaley and Willa Jean.
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Summary: Hilarious and delightful!
Review: Ever since I read Ramona Quimby, Age 8 two years ago (when I myself was eight) it has always been one of my favourite books. I understood all of Ramona's feelings, so few books make me feel that way. I'd definitely recommend it!
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Summary: Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Review: Hi! My name is Roger. I am 9 years old and I am in third grade. I just read the book Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary. It is about Ramona Quimby, a member of the Quimby family. The third grade is harder than Ramona expected. Ramona is funny and intelligent. Beezes is starting junior high school and has a lot of homework. Ramona's dad is going to college, and Ramona's mom has a new job. I think the book was great. It was funny. I recommend this book to 3rd graders. It would be too hard for 2nd grade and 1st grade students. I give this book 5 stars for the vocabulary and the funny parts it has.
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Summary: Cute and funny
Review: I first had to read this book in third grade (now i'm in seventh) and I thought the cover made it look dumb, but it ended up being a really good book.
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Summary: oatmeal and fruit flies
Review: I have happy memories of reading this book aloud to my father when both of us were sick with stomach flu. Somehow, cuddling on the couch reading about Ramona's similar predicament helped both of us feel better. Like all the Ramona books, this is an outstanding portrayal of a very real little girl as she learns to enjoy reading, falls off her bike, fights with her sister and makes peace with old friends. It's a great book for eight-year-olds and for those who were eight a long time ago!
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Summary: The Second Best Book in the Ramona Series
Review: I have read the whole Ramona series, and this is the second best book in it. I have them all. (See my review on Ramona The Pest). The whold series is great, and I have them all. Write to me if you like Ramona as much as I do. (BradyCindy@aol.com). And, read my review of Ramona The Pest!!!
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