Common Sense Media Review
By Dawn Friedman , based on child development research. How do we rate?
The first Ramona book is still a treat; encourages empathy.
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
What's the Story?
BEEZUS AND RAMONA are typical sisters: friends one minute, enemies the next. But throughout it all, they show each other love and understanding. Each chapter can stand on its own as a story, but the book also holds together nicely as one long narrative, with each chapter introducing a new situation in which Ramona ends up finding trouble.
Is It Any Good?
Times have changed, but this classic book has lost none of its charm. In BEEZUS AND RAMONA, the frustrations of being an older sibling to a rowdy preschooler are told through short, humorous chapters that have stood the test of time. Kids will sympathize with gentle Beezus as she struggles with her little sister, Ramona. 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.
It's a satisfying read for kids who are frustrated by chapter-ending cliff-hangers or for families who are reading together across several days. It makes a great read-aloud book. Kids may even be inspired to check out Beverly Cleary's other books for kids, including the next book in the Ramona series, Ramona the Pest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about their own kids' challenges with younger family members. In Beezus and Ramona, how does Beezus empathize with Ramona to better understand her point of view?
What sorts of things have happened at your house that might rival Ramona's antics?
Does this story make you want to read more Ramona books?
Book Details
- Author: Beverly Cleary
- Illustrators: Arthur Dorros , Tracy Dockray
- Genre: Family Life
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: July 1, 1955
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Last updated: September 16, 2024
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