Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Written by: Beverly Cleary

Illustrated by: Alan Tiegreen

Age Group: 4th Grade

Published: 1981

The book Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is about a little girl in the 3rd grade who is known as a nuisance. She is always doing things in school to make her teacher and fellow teachers in the school agree with this comment. Ramona has an older sister named Beezus, who is the complete opposite of her. She is so enthusiastic and is starting junior high. Ramona and Beezus have a hard time getting along sometimes. One of the events in the book is Ramona trying to do the same trick as her dad and cracking a hard boil egg on her head, but instead it isn't hard boil so it cracks on her head and makes a huge mess. Another event in the book is when Ramona does the most embarrassing thing ever and throws up in front of everyone in her class. The whole book Ramona makes it through because of her relationship with her teacher and her family.

Ramona Quimby is a Newbery Honor Book. The book is hilarious and gets children with so many different interests wanting to read it. You keep waiting to see what Ramona does next that makes her  life so entertaining. In our culture today, we always point out kids with ADD and ADHD and say that they need to be told that they can not act a certain way and that there is a time and place, I agree that children have a time and place to act a certain way, but we can not take the creativity out of some kids because that is what is so amazing. Each kid is so different and the way that Beezus and Ramona are so different is what makes this great is that each girl is successful in their own skin. The way the parents are so supportive of both children is also what makes it good for children to know.

This book doesn't have that many pictures in it, but that is good because it is an older elementary students chapter book. At that point in their school, they are more into the words and not looking at the pictures. What also is great about this book not having pictures is that students are able to make own images in their mind and get the brain moving while also reading the words. Sometimes when students get older, they don't get a chance to be as creative, and reading books with pictures is a great way for them to be. This book just had a movie come out, with a pretty famous actress that children recognize while, so if I was a parents and the students wanted to see the movie, I would have them read the book before they get the chance to see it.

I would completely recommend this book for students. It is such a fun read that is quick but can be challenging for some. It is a fun book for parents to also read along with their children with and they will definitely get a hoot out of it as well. I myself had a fun time re-reading it, because I remember reading it when I was in the third or fourth grade.