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Beezus and Ramona

Beverly Cleary

Written

1955

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The Basic Plot

  • First in a series of eight books.
  • Only one written from Beezus’ point of view.
  • She is older sister of Ramona. At this time, she is around 9 and Ramona is 4.
  • Much of the book centers around Beezus (Beatrice) trying to overcome her feelings of annoyance with her toddler age sister.
  • The resolution at the end is that siblings can love each other but not like all that the other sibling does.

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Focus on: Imagination

  • Ramona plays in the park while Beezus attends an after-school art class nearby.
  • Beezus is painting a picture of a make-believe animal.
  • Ramona arrives with a make-believe lizard on a string.
  • Beezus is inspired and paints a dragon decorated with lollipops down its back.
  • At the age of 4, why is it easier to be more imaginative than at the age of 9?
  • Paint a picture of an make believe animal and hang it in the classroom for your peers to see.

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Focus On: Toddler Behavior

    • Beezus wants to read Ramona a story, but can't find her.
    • Beezus looks all over the house and finally discovers Ramona in the basement, where she has taken one bite out of dozens of apples.
    • Beezus worries that her mother will be angry with her for not watching Ramona more carefully.
    • Even though Ramona admits to being "bad" that afternoon, she is not punished, which surprises her. Instead, they ignore her behavior and make applesauce together, all three of them.
    • Think back to when you were a child- what is something you did that you remember being “the wrong thing”. Why did you do it?

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Focus On: Siblings

  • On Beezus' 10th birthday, her mother bakes her favorite cake.
  • As she is preparing it, Beezus reads Hansel and Gretel to Ramona.
  • Then, while no one is watching, Ramona puts her rubber doll in the oven where it melts, spoiling the cake.
  • Beezus realizes that sometimes she doesn't love her little sister.
  • Look back at this chapter and re-write the events surrounding the cake from Ramona’s point of view. How would a toddler view this situation?

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Journal Topic

  • After reading Beezus and Ramona, you have learned about several instances where Ramona has annoyed, pestered, or even ruined an experience for Beezus.
  • Why does Beezus say that she sometimes doesn't love her sister?�Do you sometimes feel this way about those in your family? �Do you think they sometimes feel this way about you?

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