Book Review: Beezus and Ramona

What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this slice-of-life book about family is a literary classic. There is nothing offensive in its pages.

Families can talk about their own kids' challenges with younger family members. Why is it sometimes so hard to get along? They may also want to revisit some of their own family's legends of rambunctious preschoolers. What sorts of things have happened in their own homes that might rival Ramona's antics?

Common Sense Media Review
Despite being more than 50 years old, BEEZUS AND RAMONA has lost none of its charm for this generation of young readers. While there is no Internet, Playstation, or cable television in the Quimby world, the frustrations of being an older sibling to a rambunctious preschooler are the same no matter what the era. Kids will still sympathize with gentle Beezus as she struggles with little sister, Ramona.Nine-year-old Beezus likes to read, sew, and enjoy a quiet game of checkers with her neighbor, Henry. Unfortunately 4-year old Ramona has other ideas. Blessed with high-energy and a fierce imagination, Ramona manages to disrupt Beezus' life at every turn. From birthdays to playdates to trips to the library, Beezus finds that managing Ramona is an impossible task.Admittedly the text is sometimes a little dated -- the girls' father has handkerchiefs (they tie them to sticks for flags) and a new book costs only $2.50 -- but the story itself is timeless, never mind the details.Every chapter stands on its own as a funny story but the book also holds together to make a fine long-range narrative. This makes it a satisfying read for kids who are frustrated by chapter-end cliff-hangers or for families who are reading together across several days. Parents who were unlucky enough to miss out on Ramona Quimby might want to designate this a read-aloud book so they can get in on the fun. Beverly Cleary's books about everyday kids are a pleasure for every reader, no matter what age.

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