Ramona the Brave (Ramona Quimby) [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Beverly Cleary (Author), Stockard Channing (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Ramona Quimby

Read by Stockard Channing
2 cassettes / 2 hours 26 mins.

The summer before first grade sure isn't an easy one for Ramona.  There are a lot of changes going on at the Quimby house and Ramona's not sure she likes them one bit.  She has a new bedroom that terrifies her, and she's positive that something is hiding under her bed.  And to make matters worse, her mother gets a job to help pay for the new bedroom.  Ramona sure misses her and the cookies she used to bake.  School finally starts and Ramona realizes that the first grade is not for cowards.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Teenagers think they've got it rough. Try being a misunderstood 6-year-old! Ramona Quimby is bound and determined to be brave as she weathers first grade, her mom's return to work, and sleeping in the spooky dark all alone. But nothing seems to go her way this year. From a fierce dog on the sidewalk to a copycat in her classroom, Ramona has her hands full.

Beverly Cleary has a real knack for the subtle emotional complexities of young children. Never condescending, she sees children as real people with real feelings. For this, and for her hilarious tales of an imaginative and "spunky gal," Cleary's countless fans adore her. Winner of many awards, including the Newbery Medal, Cleary has written over two dozen books for young people. Two titles in her beloved Ramona series, Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8, were named Newbery Honor Books. Alan Tiegreen's witty and lively line drawings have graced many of Cleary's books over the decades, capturing the exuberant spirit of one of literature's favorite heroines. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"One of the funniest little sisters in fiction."  --The New York Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Listening Library; Unabridged edition (March 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807274186
• ISBN-13: 978-0807274187
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,497,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Books on Cassette > Children's Books > Educational
  • #59 in Books > Books on Cassette > Children's Books > Classics

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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny, interesting book!, October 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Ramona the Brave (Hardcover)

Ramona the Brave is six years old, just like me. She has brown hair like me, wears dresses like me and is in the first grade like me.

Ramona lives in a house with her big sister (Beezus), her Dad, her Mom, and Picky-Picky (her cat). Ramona is starting first grade. The first days are bad for her. She doesn't like first grade at all. It turns out better than she expected, though!

I liked it when the doggy chased her and she figured out how to get him to stop with her shoe.

Ramona is brave, spunky and a good artist. I was disappointed when the book ended. I wanted to read more about her. I'm glad there are more Ramona books I can read!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Going to Say a Bad Word!, January 21, 2003

By 

R. J Metz (Blacksburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ramona the Brave (Paperback)

Guts! Guts! Guts! Guts!

This is easily one of the best Ramona books. It is time for Ramona to start First Grade. Prior to her start she and her sister Beezus, play in the neighborhood park and the bad boys make fun of Beezus's name in a profane way. Then when Ramona starts school all kinds of things don't go her way. Her new teacher, Mrs. Griggs seems not to like her, because she never lets Ramona take attendance or lead the pledge of allegiance. Then she gives another student a passing grade for plagiarizing Ramona's art project. After Ramona destroys the classmates plagiarism, she has to apologize for show and tell. But my favorite part was when Ramona's family laughed at her for saying the word "guts."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good place to start when reading Cleary, February 28, 2005

By 

Matt Hetling "Matt" (Bethel, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ramona the Brave (Library Binding)

This might be the best of the Ramona and Beezus books, because it captures the mindset of a six year old so perfectly. Ramona is a girl who tries to be good, but sometimes can't stop herself from being bad. She is interested in things like her own special version of the letter Q, which she dolls up to look like a kitty, or making a paper slipper during recess.

While the Quimby girls remain blissfully oblivious of some of the weightier problems that real life children might have to face at home, Ramona is an interesting realistic character who children will feel a kinship with. Her tribulations at school with classmates are particularly relevant.

At 124 pages, the book is longer than most books targeted to this audience, but it will be a good challenge, and the chapters remain short and simple. If you're thinking of introducing a young reader to this prolific and popular author, this might be the best place to start.