Ramona the Pest

Not as good as Beezus and Ramona. The nice thing about both of the books is the insightful philosophical thoughts embedded in them like loving your family, and being known, and feeling cared about.

Read with my daughter, this is the first chapter book we've completed together. She was enamored with Ramona!

This was the first Ramona Quimby book I remember reading. I definitely have fond memories for Ramona learning “present” didn't necessarily mean gift, Beezus teasing Ramona about the “dawn's early light” from the Star Spangled Banner, and Ramona “quitting” school. I remember empathizing with Ramona's annoyance over how slow Howie and grown ups were (I often felt so much the same as a kid!). 

As an adult reading this in the 2020s, it's painfully obvious Ramona has ADHD - can't focus on her own work, isn't able to relate well to her peers, can't sit still, very imaginative, incredibly impulsive. I also completely get why her peers do not like her (though I did not pick up that nuance as a kid when I read this book).

Nothing beats all the Ramona books! Grew up reading her and I'm excited to introduce her to my kids!