A review by amynbell
Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary

3.0

You know, what I like about this series of children's books is also what I dislike. They're too realistic and also not at all realistic. I like that the book depicts real grownup problems alongside real kid problems: a father losing his job, having to scrimp and save for a real haircut, only having one pair of pajamas that fit and accidentally leaving them at school (long story). But it eats me that the scenarios in the book wouldn't work very well in 2016 as they did in 1977. This young family already owns their home and only has to pay back a loan payment for a room add-on. The mother is the only person with an income (at a minimum-wage-type job) and can pay all the bills plus tuition for her husband to go back to school. Yes, money is tight, but in 2016, I can't see this scenario being even possible ... which is sad.