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42 pages 1 hour read

Ramona and Her Mother

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1979

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Book Brief

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Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Mother

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1979
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Portland, Oregon • 1980s

Publication Year

1979

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

860L

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Super Short Summary

Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary follows seven-year-old Ramona Quimby through her second-grade winter as she navigates her relationships with family and friends, longing for her mother's favor while experiencing the trials typical of a lively, imaginative child. Key themes include the bond between mothers and daughters, the challenges of growing up, and the importance of family unity.

Heartwarming

Humorous

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Playful

Reviews & Readership

4.3

28,119 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews for Beverly Cleary's Ramona and Her Mother highlight its relatable and heartwarming depiction of family life. Many readers appreciate Cleary's realistic portrayal of a child's perspective and emotions. However, some find the plot a bit slow-paced. Overall, it's praised for its charming characters and insightful look at parent-child relationships.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Ramona and Her Mother?

Readers who enjoy Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary are typically children ages 7-10 who appreciate realistic fiction with relatable family dynamics. Fans of Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park and Judy Moody by Megan McDonald will find similar humor and charm in Cleary's storytelling.

4.3

28,119 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Ramona Quimby

An imaginative and sensitive second grader, Ramona navigates the complexities of family dynamics and her own growing self-awareness while learning to balance her impulsive nature with a desire to be taken seriously by the adults around her.

Ramona's mother, who works as a receptionist, balancing the responsibilities of her career and family life; her relationship with Ramona is central to the child's emotional development.

Ramona's responsible older sister, who is beginning to navigate adolescence and its challenges as she balances supporting her family and her own identity.

A toddler and Howie Kemp's younger sister, who Ramona must entertain in the afternoons, presenting a point of comparison to Ramona’s own childhood behavior.

A substitute teacher in Ramona's second-grade class who encourages hard work and determination, providing an adult figure of validation and support for Ramona.

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Portland, Oregon • 1980s

Publication Year

1979

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

860L

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