Customer Reviews

Ramona and Her Mother (Ramona Quimby)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At 7 and a half Ramona Quimby tries hard to contribute to keeping the family peace. Usually, she ends up being the cause of every uproar and incident in the house despite her efforts. One could never say Ramona's life is dull. She's always up to something from dying herself blue, watching while her young neighbor flings Kleenex around the house, squeezing an entire tube of toothpaste into the bathroom sink, to wearing her soft new pajamas to school one day. All she wants is her Mother's attention and recognition as she struggles for a place in her mother's heart, as she has begun to worry that she might be unlovable.

Beverly Cleary's undeniable gift for understanding the web of thoughts and emotions scrambling around in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckilyher novels will be around for a long time yet to come.

This book was really good. I really liked it when Ramona
squirted out the whole tube of toothpaste. Ramona is a fun
girl. I like Ramona so much that if she were a real person,
I would be her best friend. I think that everybody should
read this book and other Ramona books, they are just wonderful!

"Ramona And Her Mother" is a later entry in the Ramona & Beezus series, and yet it is also one of the finest books of its kind, another in a long line of great books by the masterful Beverly Cleary.

First pubished in 1979, the book finds the gauzy comfort of the Eisenhower era (when the first Henry Huggins and Beezus books were written) replaced by the strain and worry of the recessionary 'Seventies. Ramona's dad, who recently lost his job, has found new work at a local supermarket, but he doesn't like the position, and having both parents out working full-time places new strains on the family. Ramona, who is now seven years old, is no longer an overt brat, but there's a lot going on in her little head, as she struggles with the demands that come with growing up. She is envious of her teenage older sister, who she sees as a goodie-goodie and as her parent's favorite. Her relationship with her mom seems to be up in the air as well, and her parents, both tired from long days at work, have started to argue, which worries the kids. Of course, Cleary finds the silver lining, and while young readers may both recognize their own families (and become anxious for exactly the same reasons as Ramona does) Cleary magically produces happy endings that still do not deny the hardships and imperfections of life. If you've enjoyed Ramona's earlier adventures, you will not be disappointed with this funny, quick volume. (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

I had fun reading this book. It is a good book. I enjoyed reading it because, it was a sad story but then it got better at the end because she got what she wanted. I would rate this book a 5. I had a great time reading this book.

I chose this book because I like the Ramona books. THe book was about Ramona and she wanted to be close to her mother but Beezus was a Mama's girl. My favorite character was Ramona and the reason is because she is very annoying and so I am. I like the part when she was mad at her mom and her sister for doing something to her, so she went to the bathroom and squirted toothpaste everywhere.

Actually, EVERYONE likes Ramona, because she, like all of us, feels unliked at times, and we all identify with her. This book is great and I especially like the flashback where Beezus accuses Ramona of having ruined her checker game 3 years earlier, Ramona denies it hotly (she just doesn't remember), and feels rejected when her mother sides with Beezus.

Wonderful book!

I am 8 years old. This is the first Ramona book that I have read. I liked it because it was funny. I liked when Ramona gave Willa Jean a present that was a box of tissues and she threw them everywhere.

This is one of my favorite books written by Clearly. This book is a great, hilarious, super book. Ramona get angry and spills the beans. Read this book to find out what else is going to happen with this lovable Ramona and her sister Beezus!

Being seven-and-a-half-years-old (right now!) may seem like a simple task, but for second-grader, Ramona Quimby, it's proving to be a mix of difficulty and confusion. After all, she's between two strange ages - seven and eight - and can't figure out what she wants to do. Part of her is determined to stay her mother's little bunny, twitching her nose and being babied; while the other part wants to act like a grown-up, and do whatever she pleases. When Ramona's parents throw a New Year's brunch to celebrate her father finding a new job, she's thrilled to get the chance to eat a mix of breakfast and lunch. But when her best friend Howie's younger sister, Willa Jean arrives, Ramona can't help but feel jealous of the "little angel." For one, Willa Jean has ruffles sewed onto her underpants; and two, she's holding a stuffed bear - aptly named Woger - that Ramona would do anything to get her hands on. But, alas, even at her young age, Willa Jean is determined not to part with Woger. To make matters worse, Ramona's mother leaves her in charge of Willa Jean while Beezus and the rest of the adults get to fraternize with one another over hot muffins, coffee, sausage, and so much more. Ramona can't understand why her parents are treating her like a baby, while Beezus is constantly called her "mother's girl." Beezus doesn't even get in trouble for anything, because everyone says that she's at a "difficult" age. Ramona feels that she's at a difficult age, as well. But she never gets away with anything. When she squirts a whole tube of toothpaste into the bathroom sink, she gets yelled at; when she has a tantrum, she's told to "stop this instant," when she wants to stay up later than her bedtime, she's not allowed. In Ramona's eyes, nothing is fair. She can't stand that her mother has to work, and that she's forced to be watched by Willa Jean's grandmother everyday after school, and the fact that Beezus gets to go to her friends houses only makes matters worse. Ramona would do anything to just spend everyday with her mother - sewing, cooking, reading, watching TV. But things never seem to work out the way Ramona wants them to. All she wants is to stay her mother's little girl forever, but the more time that passes the more Ramona begins to realize that, perhaps, her wish will never be granted, and she'll be forced to grow up.

I first discovered Ramona Quimby when I was about six-years-old, and instantly fell in love with her pesty antics, and penchant for throwing tantrums at the worst possible moments. Now, with the re-publication of the RAMONA series, however, I am beginning to realize that I missed out on quite a few of Ramona's tales, and have decided to re-immerse myself in the life of the Quimby family. Now, even though so many years have passed, I find that Beverly Cleary's tales about Ramona are still enjoyable, and quite irresistible. Ramona, as always, is the perfect example of a precocious child embarking on the trials and tribulations that accompany growing up. Her ability to act slightly mature at times, then revert back to full-blown childish behavior is spot-on with how growing children truly act; while her jealousy, and ability to find herself in countless bizarre situations only prove to make her even more hilarious. Cleary manages to balance humor with family problems by placing a slight emphasis on difficulties with money, a parent losing a job, and being bombarded with bills. While subjects such as money problems, and not wanting to grow-up are often sore spots, Cleary presents them in a neutral way that offers parents the opportunity to discuss such issues with their children in an effort to put their minds at ease. However, even by introducing these problems, Cleary never overshadows the humorous side of Ramona, and never talks down to the reader. In fact, Ramona remains as lovable as ever as she traverses the muddy waters of second grade, and works to accept the new teacher whom she's still unsure of; while, at the same time, working overtime to twitch her nose to remind her mother that she is, and always will be, her little bunny. The most obnoxious - yet entertaining - little sister in fiction!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This story takes place in their house and at school. It is important because it shows a relationship between a mother and a daughter.

This book is mostly about Ramona spending time with her mom. At the beginning of the story Ramona gives Willa Jean a present, I am not going to tell you. You have to find out if you read it.

The second half Ramona thinks that nobody likes her, but she is wrong you really need to read it because you are going to find out what she does. The last part is when Beezus or Beatrice has a hair argument about her hair. Then finally the telephone call my favorite if you read it you know what Ramona tells her mother what she did at school. This book made me laugh so hard that my mom made me go outside and read it.

In my opinion the book is real interesting specially the way Ramona acts at the beginnig and at the and. This is the best book I ever read.

I would recommend this book because it is very funny and cool if you read this book you will love it.