Ramona the Pest

By Beverly Cleary and Jacqueline Rogers

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary expertly depicts the trials and triumphs of growing up through a relatable heroine who isn't afraid to be exactly who she is.

Ramona Quimby is excited to start kindergarten. No longer does she have to watch her older sister, Beezus, ride the bus to school with all the big kids. She's finally old enough to take the bus too!

Then she gets into trouble for pulling her classmate's boingy curls during recess. Even worse, her crush rejects her in front of everyone. Beezus says Ramona needs to quit being a pest, but how can she stop if she never was trying to be one in the first place?

The classic Ramona books continue to make young readers laugh in recognition and pleasure. They're perfect for independent and shared reading, at home or in the classroom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061972362

Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up. Instead she became a librarian. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger. She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born! Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.

Book preview

1

RAMONA’S GREAT DAY

"I am not a pest," Ramona Quimby told her big sister Beezus.

Then stop acting like a pest, said Beezus, whose real name was Beatrice. She was standing by the front window waiting for her friend Mary Jane to walk to school with her.

I’m not acting like a pest. I’m singing and skipping, said Ramona, who had only recently learned to skip with both feet. Ramona did not think she was a pest. No matter what others said, she never thought she was a pest. The people who called her a pest were always bigger and so they could be unfair.

Ramona went on with her singing and skipping. This is a great day, a great day, a great day! she sang, and to Ramona, who was feeling grown up in a dress instead of play clothes, this was a great day, the greatest day of her whole life. No longer would she have to sit on her tricycle watching Beezus and Henry Huggins and the rest of the boys and girls in the neighborhood go off to school. Today she was going to school, too. Today she was going to learn to read and write and do all the things that would help her catch up with Beezus.

"Come on, Mama! urged Ramona, pausing in her singing and skipping. We don’t want to be late for school."

Don’t pester, Ramona, said Mrs. Quimby. I’ll get you there in plenty of time.

"I’m not pestering," protested Ramona, who never meant to pester. She was not a slowpoke grown-up. She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to find out what happened next.

Then Mary Jane arrived. Mrs. Quimby, would it be all right if Beezus and I take Ramona to kindergarten? she asked.

No! said Ramona instantly. Mary Jane was one of those girls who always wanted to pretend she was a mother and who always wanted Ramona to be the baby. Nobody was going to catch Ramona being a baby on her first day of school.

Why not? Mrs. Quimby asked Ramona. You could walk to school with Beezus and Mary Jane just like a big girl.

No, I couldn’t. Ramona was not fooled for an instant. Mary Jane would talk in that silly voice she used when she was being a mother and take her by the hand and help her across the street, and everyone would think she really was a baby.

Please, Ramona, coaxed Beezus. It would be lots of fun to take you in and introduce you to the kindergarten teacher.

No! said Ramona, and stamped her foot. Beezus and Mary Jane might have fun, but she wouldn’t. Nobody but a genuine grown-up was going to take her to school. If she had to, she would make a great big noisy fuss, and when Ramona made a great big noisy fuss, she usually got her own way. Great big noisy fusses were often necessary when a girl was the youngest member of the family and the youngest person on her block.

All right, Ramona, said Mrs. Quimby. Don’t make a great big noisy fuss. If that’s the way you feel about it, you don’t have to walk with the girls. I’ll take you.

Hurry, Mama, said Ramona happily, as she watched Beezus and Mary Jane go out the door. But when Ramona finally got her mother out of the house, she was disappointed to see one of her mother’s friends, Mrs. Kemp, approaching with her son Howie and his little sister Willa Jean, who was riding in a stroller. Hurry, Mama, urged Ramona, not wanting to wait for the Kemps. Because their mothers were friends, she and Howie were expected to get along with one another.

Hi, there! Mrs. Kemp called out, so of course Ramona’s mother had to wait.

Howie stared at Ramona. He did not like having to get along with her any more than she liked having to get along with him.

Ramona stared back. Howie was a solid-looking boy with curly blond hair. (Such a waste on a boy, his mother often remarked.) The legs of his new jeans were turned up, and he was wearing a new shirt with long sleeves. He did not look the least bit excited about starting kindergarten. That was the trouble with Howie, Ramona felt. He never got excited. Straight-haired Willa Jean, who was interesting to Ramona because she was so sloppy, blew out a mouthful of wet zwieback crumbs and laughed at her cleverness.

Today my baby leaves me, remarked Mrs. Quimby with a smile, as the little group proceeded down Klickitat Street toward Glenwood School.

Ramona, who enjoyed being her mother’s baby, did not enjoy being called her mother’s baby, especially in front of Howie.

They grow up quickly, observed Mrs. Kemp.

Ramona could not understand why grown-ups always talked about how quickly children grew up. Ramona thought growing up was the slowest thing there was, slower even than waiting for Christmas to come. She had been waiting years just to get to kindergarten, and the last half hour was the slowest part of all.

When the group reached the intersection nearest Glenwood School, Ramona was pleased to see that Beezus’s friend Henry Huggins was the traffic boy in charge of that particular corner. After Henry had led them across the street, Ramona ran off toward the kindergarten, which was a temporary wooden building with its own playground. Mothers and children were already entering the open door. Some of the children looked frightened, and one girl was crying.

We’re late! cried Ramona. Hurry!

Howie was not a boy to be hurried. I don’t see any tricycles, he said critically. I don’t see any dirt to dig in.

Ramona was scornful. This isn’t nursery school. Tricycles and dirt are for nursery school. Her own tricycle was hidden in the garage, because it was too babyish for her now that she was going to school.

Some big first-grade boys ran past yelling, Kindergarten babies! Kindergarten babies!

"We are not babies!" Ramona yelled back, as she led her mother into the kindergarten. Once inside she stayed close to her. Everything was so strange, and there was so much to see: the little tables and chairs; the row of cupboards, each with a different picture on the door; the play stove; and the wooden blocks big enough to stand on.

The teacher, who was new to Glenwood School, turned out to be so young and pretty she could not have been a grown-up very long. It was rumored she had never taught school before. Hello, Ramona. My name is Miss Binney, she said, speaking each syllable distinctly as she pinned Ramona’s name to her dress. I am so glad you have come to kindergarten. Then she took Ramona by the hand and led her to one of the little tables and chairs. Sit here for the present, she said with a smile.

A present! thought Ramona, and knew at once she was going to like Miss Binney.

Good-bye, Ramona, said Mrs. Quimby. Be a good girl.

As she watched her mother walk out the door, Ramona decided school was going to be even better than she had hoped. Nobody had told her she was going to get a present the very first day. What kind of present could it be, she wondered, trying to remember if Beezus had ever been given a present by her teacher.

Ramona listened carefully while Miss Binney showed Howie to a table, but all her teacher said was, Howie, I would like you to sit here. Well! thought Ramona. Not everyone is going to get a present so Miss Binney must like me best. Ramona watched and listened as the other boys and girls arrived, but Miss Binney did not tell anyone else he was going to get a present if he sat in a certain chair. Ramona wondered if her present would be wrapped in fancy paper and tied with a ribbon like a birthday present. She hoped so.

As Ramona sat waiting for her present she watched the other children being introduced to Miss Binney by their mothers. She found two members of the morning kindergarten especially interesting. One was a boy named Davy, who was small, thin, and eager. He was the only boy in the class in short pants, and Ramona liked him at once. She liked him so much she decided she would like to kiss him.

The other interesting person was a big girl named Susan. Susan’s hair looked like the hair on the girls in the pictures of the old-fashioned stories Beezus liked to read. It was reddish-brown and hung in curls like springs that touched her shoulders and bounced as she

Reviews for Ramona the Pest

[lynleys-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really identified with Ramona when I was her age.

[David M · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really like Ramona being mean for some reason, and I don't know why.

[tony nguyen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is awesome because I like how you tell the story

[Haaniya Shahbaz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well this book describes many kindergarteners

[Adil Goni · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like this book because it is something that reminds you about your early childhood

[theknightsies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

great, great, I just loved this book.

[quondame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ramona is eager for kindergarten, and finds it good if not quite up to expectations. However, kindergarten has some expectations of its own which prove problematical for Ramona.

[Denise Salmon · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think children will be able to relate to the main character, she is full of life and the story was also quite interesting. This book will be loved by all the children who read it.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rereading in memory of Beverly Cleary, a childhood favorite author. She was perfectly keyed in to the emotional life of children; see the intensity of Ramona's anger in chapter #. Raw and perceptive!

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ramona is a very realistic child. She never means to be a pest.

[fingerpost_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the second book of the Ramona series, Ramona Quimby is far less obnoxious than in "Bezus and Ramona." That's definitely a good thing. Perhaps Mrs. Quimby learned a few good discipline techniques between the first and second volume.
Ramona starts kindergarten, and things go well for a while, but inevitably something eventually goes wrong, and Ramona decides she is through with school. Her teacher doesn't love her anymore, so she's not going to return.

[coffeehag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Who would have thought that Ramona would be the naughtiest kid in kindergarten? Yet that is exactly what she is. Leave it to Ramona to find new, never before thought of ways to get into trouble, even when she's trying to be good. One thing's for sure, there is never a dull moment with Beezus' kid sister around! This fun book is sure to have you laughing, and even sometimes feeling sorry for Ramona when she's her own worst enemy, or, as she gleefully calls herself, "the baddest witch in the world!"

[amelia_smith-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book to my kids, the younger of whom is in Kindergarten now. The author did a fabulous job of capturing a 5-year-old's voice and outlook on the world. All in all, the book was delightful, and I may have enjoyed it more as an adult and parent than I did when I was Beezus's age (which I was the last time I read it). It seems to have stood the test of time.

[othemts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the second book of the Ramona series, Ramona begins kindergarten with much excitement, and while she's eager to learn to read and write and loves her teacher, trouble follows her everywhere. Among her problems are being to told to sit in a seat "for the present" and expecting a gift, the temptation to pull the springy curls on her classmates head, declaring herself on Halloween to be "the baddest witch" and managing to frighten herself, and becoming a kindergarten drop out. Ramona feels ever so true to life with her kid logic and motivations and the book is laugh-out-loud funny.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not ADHD and not a brat. Just a healthy, lively child who is sometimes impulsive but always means well. Well, ok, in the books that focused on Henry and Beezus she seemed brattier - but then, those were told from their pov and so she would seem that way. And she was younger in them, so she was naturally more self-centered

[ellsbethb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was fun to finally read a Ramona book and to get a good reminder of how 5 year olds see the world.

[ashpoe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

1.) Ramona is a kid that's in the first grade that is viewed as a pest due to her wild child ways and big personality. She drives some of her classmates crazy and at home her older sister bonkers. She seems to annoy her sister often and causes sibling arguements. She has problems in school listening and staying on task, chases a boy at recess because she likes him, and even finds herself getting suspended one day due to her curiousity. This book is a roller coaster of the trouble Rimana seems to get herself into.

2.) Ramona reminds me so much of Junie B Jones which is why I love to read about them both although they are two different characters but so much alike. This outgoing girls that does not hold anything back are truly entertaining and seem to be a handful. I enjoy reading about the rambunctious little girl that has you on the seat of your pants to see what she will do next.

3.) Classroom idea would be to do a pros and cons list from the kids to see what good and not so good they see in Romana. How they relate or differ from her no if they think she is truly a pest or misunderstood

[aconant-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"This is a great day! A great day!" Sings Ramona on the first day of kindergarten. This is laugh-out-loud funny for kids and adults and chronicles the life of imaginative Ramona Quimby. It also speaks to the tender heart of children and helps them learn that they are not alone in their struggle through childhood. We were in the library last week and my four year old was upset about having to share a toy, but all I had to say was, "Are you making a great big noisy fuss?" and he was able to laugh it off. Thank you, Beverly Cleary!

[azlanshae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remember reading these books as a young girl! I loved the stories about Ramona because they were witty and entertaining! This book is about Ramona's experience as a Kindergartener. She is named as a pest at home and school. She has a difficult time adjusting to nap time, getting along with peers and following directions. She really likes her teacher and tries to please her. She loves things like show and tell, dressing up for halloween, and running around on the playground. She finds herself in trouble left and right. She gets kicked out of her class when she can't stop pulling another students hair. She stays home and says she can't go back to school. Her mom can't seem to get a reason out of her. She is overjoyed when she receives a letter from her teacher, Mrs. Binney explaining she kept her tooth and wonders when she is coming back to school. Ramona excitedly decides to return to class!

[dms02 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Was lots of fun to revisit this childhood book with my kindergartner. I think I like Ramona more now then I did as a kid.

[portm-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Booooiiinnnnng! I wanted a doll named Chevrolet, too.

[nmhale_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cleary always delivers solid children's books, with a good message and believable characters and conflicts that are gripping but very domestic. When she writes about Ramona, though, her books really shine. Ramona is such an amazing little person. I like her earliest appearances, when she comes on the stage as a willful and stubborn young girl, who always understands what she is doing even when others think she is being unreasonable, and who is clever and creative and quite a handful.

In this book, Ramona enters kindergarten. This is a big moment for Ramona, who wants to grow up as big as Beezus, and has been longing for this day for an eternity, or so it seems to her. Despite minor disappointments - like being forced to walk with Howie and Willa Jean each morning, or being told to wait here for the present, and not realizing that that doesn't mean she gets an actual present for waiting - nothing can dampen her enthusiasm. She loves her teacher, Miss Binney, and is excited for all of the grown-up things they are learning, like writing letters and her name. She has a few mishaps, but she always comes up with witty solutions. Her Halloween mask is scary, but Ramona is even more terrified when she thinks that no one recognizes her and she is completely anonymous. So Ramona makes a sign to name herself as she walks in the Halloween parade. She wants to kiss adorable Davy, but he won't let her. So Ramona chases him around the playground every morning.

One day, though, Ramona doesn't know how to solve her problem. Miss Binney catches her pulling Susan's perfectly curled, bouncy hair, and disciplines her. Miss Binney asks Ramona if she can stop pulling Susan's hair. Ramona honestly responds that she can not, so Miss Binney asks her to stay at home until she can behave herself properly. Ramona is a kindergarten drop-out, as she calls herself. Despite pressure from her parents, her sister, and her friends, she refuses to return to school. Until a special letter arrives from Miss Binney, proving that her beloved teacher really does understand her, after all.

Ramona is a great depiction of a five year old. She doesn't have the maturity or education to understand everything, but she thinks she does, and views adults with a blend of admiration and contempt. It is hilarious when she scorns the substitute teachers as unintelligent, since she doesn't recognize the letter Q, which Ramona has adorned with kitten ears and tails. She is more than just an irrational but endearing preschooler, now; she is a little girl, on her path to understanding and growing up with plenty of precious misunderstandings along the way. Above all, Ramona is honest and creative. Others may not always understand her, but she understands herself. I absolutely love Ramona, even though I can relate to her mom and think how exasperating it would be to raise Ramona. This is another wonderful Ramona books, that poignantly captures a child growing up in a middle class home with a caring family.

[lquilter_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this when I was in elementary school, and recently read it to my 5 year old, who, like Ramona the Pest, has just started kindergarten. The personality of Ramona is still strong and wonderful. Her insights and annoyance with grown-ups and their tiresome strictures made me snicker, and, I could tell, resonated with my 5yo -- who LOVED the book.

Some social sexism mars the book -- I did a fair amount of on-the-fly editing rather than engaging in a discussion of WHY people would say Davy, a little boy, should run track, and not say that about Ramona, the little girl who was chasing him; why boys were crossing guards and not girls; what all the heteronormative role playing is about (Ramona is going to kiss Davy; she wants to marry Davy; she wants to marry Henry Huggins); and so on. But the core of the story is rather delightful, so I'd still recommend the book.

And it was so interesting to see how times have changed in other ways too. A 5yo might be left alone in her house, to leave for school, and walk a few blocks, all by herself. She can "duck down" onto the floor of the car -- because the 5yo isn't in a carseat/booster seat.

Anyway, I really enjoyed re-visiting Ramona, and recommend it for others too.

[kesser-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My daughters and I loved the Ramona books. We liked that Ramona was not the perfect child but curious, mischievous, and fun with a good heart.

[leighannejensen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Little Ramona Quimby has just started kindergarten, which opens the door to all kinds of new adventures. She learns how to write letters (often like animals), how to play new games, and gets a big lesson in getting along with her peers. All of this is hard on a little girl, but don't tell Ramona that! She thinks she's all grown up now.

[e5j · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read the Ramona books over and over again when I was a kid. Beverly Cleary wins me over, and so, always, does Ramona.

[pamelaamyotte3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ramona the Pest
By: Beverly Cleary
Awards: Georgia Children’s Book Award
Sequoyah Children's Book Award (Oklahoma)
Nene Award (Hawaii)

Ramona is starting kindergarten and she is extremely nervous and excited. After getting into some trouble, Ramona fears that her teacher no longer likes her. How will Ramona survive kindergarten? Beverly Cleary is a wonderful children’s author, who can get inside the mind of children and understand them on their level. As a result, children can easily relate to Ramona. This book is perfect for children who are improving their limited reading skills. But anyone would laugh at Ramona’s quirkiness and misadventures. I would recommend this for ages, 6-9 of either gender.

[eadavis83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is great for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books. This book is a good book to keep in the classroom for the children to read at any time. I believe that the children will love this book. This is a very humorous book that will keep the children laughing. This book is a very easy book for the children to read.

[ryann0423 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is about Ramona who is in kindergarten and can't seem to stay out of trouble or messes and gets called a pest often. She is very excited to go to kindergarten and goes through the typical kindergarten world of learning and playing. One day she pulls on a classmate, Susan's, curls and gets into trouble because she won;t stop pulling on the curls. So she gets sent home for several days and becomes a "drop out" until a note from her teacher encourages her to come back to school, which makes her feel her teacher really cares about herself. Many students can relate to this story whether they know a "pest" or are the "pest" and it can be fun to discuss how each student may have been a pest in the past.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book at a second hand shop last night (3/28/12) and bought it as I knew I did not have it in my library. To my surprise, none of it was familiar, and I believe I had not read this book before!

As usual, Beverly Cleary captures children's thoughts, feelings and excitement like no one else. I love her books, as an adult!