A Girl from Yamhill [Paperback]

Beverly Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Generations of children have grown up with Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and all of their friends, families, and assorted pets. For everyone who has enjoyed the pranks and schemes, embarrassing moments, and all of the other poignant and colorful images of childhood brought to life in Beverly Cleary books, here is the fascinating true story of the remarkable woman who created them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Newbery Medalist offers two extraordinary memoirs, the first devoted to her childhood, the second following her from college to the acceptance of her first book, Henry Huggins. PW called this pair "a real gift to Cleary's many fans, young and old." Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up The author's name rather than the title of her partial autobiography will catch the eyes of her army of loyal readers who grew up with Cleary's great books for children. Then, there are always those special few readers who dream of becoming writers themselves, and Cleary has some information on how this was for her and more about the hunger for reading that often starts writers on their way. It's bootless to compare and contrast autobiographical books, since each memorists' experiences and those they select to share are unique. Cleary's selection is acute, especially for some growing up pains and problems often scanted in books intended for younger readers, i.e., an uncle who was a potential danger to young girls and the fear and confusion his attentions caused; the possessive, devoted mother whose fierce love was never affectionate; the first, nearly unshakable boyfriend; and much more about each stage of growing up as an only child in Portland, Oregon, when the Great Depression moved in as the unseen, all-powerful villain in every working-class household. It ends with Cleary off to college in California without anything but determination and the ability to work hard and find her own way. As with her fiction, readers are likely to want her memoir to go on when they read her last page. Lillian N. Gerhardt , ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380727404
• ISBN-13: 978-0380727407
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific autobiography!, June 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Girl from Yamhill (Hardcover)

Like the other reviewers here, I was addicted to the books of Beverly Cleary when I was child. Mrs. Cleary's books provided me endless hours of enjoyment, and I still remember laughing out loud at the adventures and misadventures of her characters. Eventually, I grew up and Mrs. Cleary's books became just fond remembrances of my childhood.

Remembrances are what they remained until I re-read "Otis Spofford" a couple weeks ago. Despite my age, I still found myself laughing out loud while I read it. It was that experience that led me to read "A Girl from Yamhill." I wanted to find out more about the woman whose mere name on a book ensured to me as a child a wonderful reading experience.

What a terrific autobiography! I read it in one day. I loved the simple, but honest writing style that can also be found in her fictional books. I also recognized many of the experiences of her girlhood that eventually ended up among the adventures of her fictional characters: tin cans and twine, misinterpreting the words to national anthem, the boys chewing garlic, and the green paint for Christmas. However, what struck me as the best part of "A Girl from Yamhill" was how ordinary Beverly Bunn was as a girl. She wasn't poor or rich. She got good grades; but occassionally they slipped. She wasn't in the popular cliques; but she wasn't an outcast. She never got into any major trouble; but she wasn't a saint. Yes, her mother was emotionally detached and controlling; but she wasn't abusive or meanspirited. Teenaged Beverly spends alot of time worrying about her clothes and boys just like any other teenage girl. I was amazed how much I enjoyed reading about the life of an average, ordinary girl. Of course, that girl did have one major talent- she could write, and that talent is what makes "A Girl from Yamhill" such a joy- Beverly Cleary is a fantastic writer. She brings everything so vividly to life, and provides the reader not only insight into her own character, but also gives a glimpse of what life was really like in the Oregon of the 1920's and 30's. A great, great book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Reason to Love Beverly Cleary, December 4, 2001

By 

Sandra Mitchell "Sandra Mitchell" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Girl from Yamhill (Paperback)

If you were in love with Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins or Runaway Ralph as a child, you will love this memoir of their creator. Beverly Cleary takes us back to her childhood and shares with us her memories of growing up in Oregon and what her family life was like. One can't help but notice, there are so many similarities between Ramona and a young Beverly Cleary! As always, Cleary paints a perfect picture of life as a young girl and what it was like coming of age. Her words are full of honesty, insightfullness & humor. My only other recommendation is to make sure you buy On My Own Two Feet, which takes you through her adult years. When A Girl from Yamhill is over, you will be hungry for more! Beverly Cleary is a timeless delight to read for all ages.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the story behind her stories........., September 13, 2001

By 

Samantha W. Mckevitt "longislandgirl" (Dix Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Girl from Yamhill (Paperback)

I loved this book as much as I enjoyed the Ramona Quimby books that I grew up reading. I really enjoyed realizing that Emily's Runaway Imagination was based on Cleary's own life. It was interesting to see her early life on a farm and then the changes that came from her family's move to suburbia.

Cleary explains her early writing experiences explaining that she wanted to read books as a child that were realistic. Her school and family experiences gave great insight.

This is also a great history of being a child in the depression era.

This is a great book for anyone who curled up with a copy of Henry Huggins or Ellen Tebbitts!