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

[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.

[mcelhra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In Ramona the Pest, Ramona starts kindergarten. She loves school and her teacher but still manages to get herself in quite a bit of trouble.Beverly Cleary gets little kids. There is a scene where Ramona is throwing a tantrum in her room in which Ms. Cleary does a wonderful job of explaining the (irrational) thought process that is going on in Ramona’s mind during the tantrum. I think little kids will find comfort in knowing that they are not the only ones who feel out of control at times. She also understands that children can be very literal and this often leads to misunderstandings and embarrassment for them. This whole book serves to help young readers know that they are not the only ones overwhelmed by the world and new experiences.My six year old son and I loved this book and we’re looking forward to the next Ramona book in the series.

[mslangdon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Part A/ClassicCleary, B. (1968). Ramona the pest. New York: Harper Collins.Pest—Ramona Quimby doesn’t think so. She is the youngest in her family and the youngest on her block, which makes it easy for everyone around to think that she is a pest. Ramona is starting school and will do anything to prove that she is not a “kindergarten baby,” while also trying to impress and win the heart of her teacher, Miss Binney. Always with good intentions, Ramona finds herself in sticky situations. Detailed illustrations throughout the chapters enhance the various parts of the story. Young readers will laugh out loud as they read Ramona the Pest. Children and adults alike can relate to Cleary’s depiction of Ramona, either because they know a five-year-old just like her, or they are a “Ramona.”Another book from this decade is Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.

[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.

[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.

[mmuncy_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ramona the Pest is a Sequoyah Award Winner by Beverly Cleary. Ramona is starting kindergarten. She is very excited that she is finally starting school. Ramona and her mother walk to school with Howie, a boy in Ramona’s class, and his mother and baby sister. Ramona and Howie are eventually trusted enough to walk to school alone. Ramona loves her new teacher Ms. Binney. Any time Ms. Binney scolds Ramona, Ramona is sure Ms. Binney no longer loves her. Throughout the book, Ramona has her first Halloween parade while in school, she learns to write her name, she loses her first tooth, and she becomes a kindergarten drop out. Susan, a girl in Ramona’s class, has very long curly hair and one day Ramona can’t help but pull it so that she can watch it “boing”. Ms. Binney tells her not to do it again and then when she does Ms. Binney asks her if she can stop pulling her hair and Ramona tells her no. Ms. Binney then tells her that she will have to stay home until she can control herself and leave Susan’s hair alone. Ramona stays home for several days and becomes a “dropout.” The book ends after Ramona receives a letter from Ms. Binney and she decides to go back to school.This was a really cute book. Ramona reminds me very much of my four year old who started Head Start this year.If I read this with a class I would have them share some of their own memories from kindergarten. If they had younger siblings I would also ask them to share memories of the siblings kindergarten days.

[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.

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The entire time I spent reading this book, I felt like I was five. Ms. Cleary captures the essence of Ramona so strongly that I felt like I was seeing through her eyes. My outer adult was entirely silenced, and oh how I wanted that ribbon and those red boots.I'd give this to a child looking for funny easy fiction, or for a parent looking for a read aloud. This would be especially great to share with someone just about to start kindergarten - the chapters are short an self-contained enough to be read one by one.

[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.

[darlenesbooknook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book aloud to my daughters.We loved it! Who doesn't love Ramona? I loved reading this series when I was a kid, and I am enjoying reading it again with my girls. We are making great memories snuggling on the couch and laughing together!!We will be continuing on in the series!

[jakdomin_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Ramona the Pest” is unique as it showcases the life of a trouble making kindergartner girl. Ramona never tires to cause trouble, but her unique quirks often made her seem like a bad girl. Makes the reader think back to when they were first starting school and how life was so simple and silly. Could be a good tool for older children to understand why their little siblings act the way they do. Great book to introduce a significant amount of dialogue for a beginning reader.

[pamelaamyotte3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ramona the PestBy: Beverly ClearyAwards: Georgia Children’s Book AwardSequoyah 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.

[lpeal_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the story about a girl named Ramona Quimby, who is going off to Kindergarten. She goes through show and tell, recess and all the nomral things. One day a sub comes and she does not like her. SHe hides behind a trash can and eventaully gets caught. Then she wants to drop out of school. This is a hilarious book that kids will love. This also has other books in the series about Ramona. Great book for reading to a class when their is someone who always gets into trouble :) or just for a funny book to any class!!

[marylee1973 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book for those young readers that like to look back into the silly things they did as a youngster. Ramona is now on center stage and you get to do day by day with her in her kindergarden year.

[fotenosfamily · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ramona the pest is a book about a person named Ramona being a rascal. One time she didn't want to go to school because there was a new teacher so she hid behind the trashcan for the whole day. One day she wanted to play in the mud and her boots got stuck in the mood. Here's what I liked about the book: I like the part when she was silly when she was a rascal because when she was silly she laughed and I like laughing. I didn't like when she was a witch at Halloween because she was very sad because she thought her mom would not know who she was. by Noah Fotenos on Nov 2010, age 6.

[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.

[btivis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first day of Kindergarten may be the maost exciting day of Ramona's life. For years she has sat watching Beezus go to school and tell of all the fun things that go on there. Now her day has finally come. She loves her class and her teacher, but she hates the fact she is so misunderstood. She finds herself in trouble on a regular basis, but if people would just ask her, she has a perfectly good explanation for what she did. After her teacher tells her not to come back to Kindergarten until she is ready to behave, her life just isn't the same. After receiving a letter from her teacher, she decides things must not be too bad and decides to go back to school.I loved this book. I think Bevery Cleary does a wonderful job writing from a child's point of view.I think this a good book to share with your students about the importance of communication, and that there are two sides to every problem.

[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.

[lppeters · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a cute story about a little girl going into the kindergarten. I chose to read this book because my focus student for Holt is on a very low reading level and I was trying to find books that would be an easy read for him. I think this book would be a good level and would be a fun read for him because it is entertaining for students to read about disruptive students.

[meganangela · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a child, I loved the Ramona books. So, when I saw Ramona the Pest at a used bookstore, I knew I had to buy it and reread one of my favorite books from my childhood. I was surprised at what I remembered! I remember Ramona pulling on Susan's curls and making a "boing" sound and I remember the way that Ramona turned her Qs into little cats! However, I forgot that she really was a pest. For as spunky as she is, Ramona really is a bit of a pain. Sometimes that was distracting. It was hard to empathize with Ramona at times, and as the main character, we should be rooting for her. But, perhaps that is just my age showing. Even though she had her ups and downs, she still was a really lovable character. I can see why so many children love this series and why it has stood up against other children's literature for over 50 years. I'd recommend this to young girls and boys in elementary school whether they are pests or not!

[conuly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beverly Cleary has a real gift. Although her books span a period of decades, they all read as though they were written today. There's a few odd details in some of them, but mostly they rely on good storytelling and... well, very real-seeming children.This is the story of Ramona's kindergarten year. It can be hard to find chapter books that are worth reading to kindergarteners, but this is it - Ramona actually seems like an actual child who is actually, really, truly in kindergarten! When she's told to "sit here for the present" she does, waiting for her present. When she struggles to refrain from pulling perfect Susan's curly "boingy" hair, you can feel how hard it is. And it's easy for all small children to understand why Susan's trying to act like a grown-up is annoying for Ramona.I would really suggest this as a first read-aloud chapter book for a young kid.

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

I really identified with Ramona when I was her age.

[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.

[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.

[andreabyrnes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ramona is my idol. brave little girl who knows what she wants, and doesn't see why it should be any other way.

[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

[nikkles_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once of my favorites when I was little. A great book for kids, particularly curious and slightly naughty little girls.

[kdangleis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cleary, Beverly. Ramon the Pest. Reillustrated edition, 2006. New York, NY. Harper Collins. (1968). Ramona the Pest is a delightful story of Ramona's first few months as kindergartner. This book will be enjoyed by the future kindergartner, as well as 5 to 8 years old children. Ramona's quest to be loved by her teacher, Miss Binney, brings laugh-out- loud moments to even the adult reader. The book is filled with firsts: first day of kindergarten, first time walking to school by herself, first time having a substitute teacher, first time losing a tooth, and the first time getting kicked out of class. Cleary handles each of Ramona's firsts with a sense of humor, allowing readers to connect their potential firsts with Ramona's character. Miss Binney empowers Ramona to believe in herself, without indulging or feeding in to Ramona's pest-like behavior. Being stuck in a mud hole and rescued by Henry the crossing guard, pulling the hair of her classmate, Susan, and being unrecognizable in her witch's mask, Ramona finds herself in predicaments that result in the growth of her character. Cleary's use of humor in each situation is impressive to all who read this book. It's a reminder to all to find the humor in any situation, no matter how scary it can be. Another book from the same decade is Konigsburg, E. L. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Atheneum, 1967.

[weeksie50_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ramona Quimby has started kindergarten and is learning new things each day. Ramona is not only learning how to write her name but is learning life lessons. She is also making new friends. Ramona's reactions to her teacher and peers are so funny. I loved this book as a child and still love it today.I would use this book as a read aloud because it would make students interested in reading more of the ramona books.It's a classic :)

[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!