Emily's Runaway Imagination [Paperback]

Beverly Cleary (Author), Tracy Dockray (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 30, 2008 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 910L (What's this?)

Can imaginative Emily make her biggest dream come true?

Spunky Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon'at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a luxury few small towns can afford. Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork?

Adventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn't Emily bleach Dad's old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? "Written with Cleary's customary warmth and humor...The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life."-BooklistAdventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn't Emily bleach Dad's old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? "Written with Cleary's customary warmth and humor...The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life."-Booklist

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Emily is vividly real." -- -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Emily's adventures make the book as freshly funny as Henry Huggins." -- -Association of Children's Literature

About the Author

Beverly Cleary is one of America's most popular authors. Born in McMinnville, Oregon, she lived on a farm in Yamhill until she was six and then moved to Portland. After college, as the children's librarian in Yakima, Washington, she was challenged to find stories for non-readers. She wrote her first book, Henry Huggins, inresponse to a boy's question, "Where are the books about kids like us?"

Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the Amercan Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature.

Her Dear Mr. Henshaw was awarded the 1984 John Newbery Medal, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. In addition, her books have won more than thirty-five statewide awards based on the votes of her young readers. Her characters, including Henry Huggins, Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford, and Beezus and Ramona Quimby, as well as Ribsy, Socks, and Ralph S. Mouse, have delighted children for generations. Mrs. Cleary lives in coastal California.

Tracy Dockray is a fine artist and illustrator who has contributed to more than twenty illustrated books, including the bestselling Grimm's Grimmest, Delia at the Delano, and all of Beverly Cleary's highly popular children's books, most notably Ramona. A member of the Society of Illustrators, she holds an MFA from Pratt and lives in New York City.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439356407
• ISBN-13: 978-0380709236
• ASIN: 0380709236
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life

More About the Author

Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12th, is celebrated across the country on D.E.A.R. Day, with activities related to the Drop Everything and Read Program. One of the most popular and honored authors of all time, Beverly Cleary has won the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. She makes her home in coastal California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Deprive Your Child of Beverly Cleary! November 26, 2001

By D. Denny

Format:Library Binding

Ok, I'm a late bloomer. I've just discovered Beverly Cleary in my middle-age and did I pick the right book to start with! Emily is a charming child, and I'm quickly discovering how Ms. Cleary can really "think like a child". Emily's adventures are always questionable but always fun!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very charming, lovely and nostalgic November 10, 2002

By Lena

Format:Library Binding

I just reread this book as a teacher/adult. I read it as a child almost twenty years ago, I liked it back then too. Very sweet and humorous. It is a great picture of Americana with Grandpa's automobile, Sunday after-church picnics, and party-line telephones! And then the pigs with the rotton apples during Mama's elegant party. Terrific!! I can see the characters in my grandparents.

Great way to remind children to get outside and play or read instead of sitting in front of the television. How did we survive with out video games? The computer? Wonderful to read aloud for quality time.

Beverly Cleary was my favorite author as a child. Now as a teacher and parent, I get to share her books with a new generation.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow I can't believe these books are still around..I Loved it June 28, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I will never forget this book. I read it in elementary I am 28 now. Everytime I hear the word imagination I think of Emily. I will never forget her trying to Clorax a horse. Many other things I read or see somewhere else remind me of this book. I was hooked on Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books growing up. Some books I read do not exist anymore. Instead of reading Sweet Valley High I was hooked on Canby Hall books. Christoper Pike got me into mystery thriller stories until he got too much into the vampire stuff which I was not interested in at the time. I have looked up the books I read when I was older and they were no longer being printed. I am glad to find out my kids can still get Cleary and Blume books almost 30 yrs after they were written.