Reviews

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary

mhkloster's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book. The incorrect logic leaps that Ramona makes are so endearing and reminded me of so many misunderstanding that we’ve had with G. I loved the several scenes where Ramona’s family lovingly tried not to laugh at her misunderstandings but Ramona always picked up on it and completely melted down in unadulterated embarrassment and anger. Ramona’s kindergarten teacher’s compassion and understanding warmed my heart. We didn’t read this book particularly linearly because G kept wanting to go back and reread earlier chapters, so I was relieved to finally figure out how it resolved. I look forward to reading other Ramona books.

courtandspark's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was so good Isaac wanted to finished it *on* his birthday (love a page goal project). I really appreciate how it humanizes kids and the things they think and emotions they experience. Ms. Binney is also a dream— fresh off the magic of a wonderful kindergarten teacher so especially loved the school parts.

ehays84's review against another edition

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5.0

I really enjoyed reading this book to the kids. Lily has started paying more attention to our night time stories and not just falling asleep, so we picked this one with her in mind. She is starting k5 next year, and we hope she just not get up to quite as much hi jinx as Ramona. Lily remembers Ramona pulling another girl's hair, chasing a boy and trying to kiss him, or waited at her desk hoping she would get a present from her teacher instead of going to play. This book perfectly captures the feeling of being that age and going to school, but of course, even though Ramona seems kind of naughty, the book is all about getting inside her head and heart. It's a book full of empathy for children, which is very much needed. As a teacher, I loved Ms. Binney too of course.

buffy_garden's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.5

I listened to the audio version of this book with Stockard Channing and boy howdy what a treat! Ramona is such a fun, lovable character, and this book reminds me of what it is like to be a child. I grew up in a different time period, with a different family dynamic, but I remember the feelings associated with trying to make sense of the world. 

alisonraereed's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't remember adoring these books when I was little, but apparently I become more like a rambunctious five year old the older I get. Beverly Cleary is brilliant at getting into the mind of children. Everything Ramona does makes so much sense, although from the outside it doesn't make sense at all. I laughed the whole way through and can't wait to continue rediscovering Cleary's creations all over again.

lizwine's review against another edition

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Audiobook: family road trip

simplymary's review against another edition

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4.0

Timeless classic. My kids have just met Ramona and they love her.

brooke_review's review against another edition

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5.0

The day that Ramona Quimby has been waiting all five years of her life for is finally here – the first day of Kindergarten. She enters the doors of Glenwood School with such anticipation, only to find out that Kindergarten is everything she always hoped for, and at the same time, everything she didn’t expect. Ramona wants so desperately to please Miss Binney, her teacher who she loves so much, and be a model Kindergartener, but she keeps finding herself in troublesome and sometimes tempting situations, and even finds herself being called a “pest.” Why can’t adults understand that her intentions are good, but that sometimes it is just so hard to be Ramona Quimby?

From pulling fellow student Susan’s curls just to watch them “boing” back in place, to having to get along with boring, unexcitable Howie, the son of her mother’s friend, to frustratingly being misunderstood by the adults in her life, to attempting to please Miss Binney with her seat work and naptime behaviors, the adventures of Ramona are never-ending and laugh out loud funny. Beverly Cleary writes with a children’s voice and her characters very nearly leap off the pages. Everyone has a little Ramona in their life, and possibly within themselves. This relatable little girl and the situations in which she finds herself are thoroughly entertaining and likely never to be forgotten. This award-winning novel would work excellently as a read-aloud or an independent read, and is an essential purchase for all libraries.

agentbird's review against another edition

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5.0

*2015 reread

happytreereads's review against another edition

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4.0

this is hysterical. why was this not a part of my childhood?