Ramona and Her Father
Author: Beverly Cleary
Illustrator: Tracy Dockray
Book 4 in the Ramona Quimby series
Pages: 192
Published: 1977
Age: 8+
Beverly Cleary's Newbery Honor Book depicts an average middle-class family dealing with the realities of life. With the perfect mix of humor and warmth, Ramona Quimby shines as a spirited girl with her heart set on helping.
Seven-year-old Ramona world is turned upside-down when her father unexpectedly loses his job. Things grow tense in the Quimby house, but Ramona resolves to help in any way she can—even downsizing her Christmas list. But with bills piling up and her parents constantly stressed, Ramona wonders if life will ever go back to normal.
- The Father-Daughter Bond: When Ramona's dad loses his job, she makes it her mission to bring back his smile—with hilarious and often disastrous results.
- Navigating Family Changes: From squabbles with her older sister, Beezus, to dealing with stressed-out parents, Ramona learns to cope with a house full of tension in a way that is both funny and touching.
- A Newbery Honor Classic: Discover why generations of readers have fallen in love with this beloved, award-winning story about growing up and finding your place in the family.
- An Unforgettable Heroine: Seven-year-old Ramona Quimby proves that even when life gets tough, a big heart and a little bit of mischief can make all the difference.
Newbery Medal Nominee (1978), Texas Bluebonnet Award (1981), Garden State Book Award for Fiction (Grades 2-5) (1980), Land of Enchantment Book Award, Nene Award (1979), Beehive Book Award for Children's Fiction (1980), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1980), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Fiction (1978), New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award (1981), California Young Readers Medal Nominee for Intermediate (1981), Volunteer State Book Award (1980)
About the Ramona Quimby Series
Books in series order
- 1.Beezus and Ramona(1955)
- 2.Ramona the Pest(1967)
- 3.Ramona the Brave(1974)
- 4.Ramona and Her Father(1977)
- 5.Ramona and Her Mother(1979)
- 6.Ramona Quimby, Age 8(1981)
- 7.Ramona Forever(1984)
- 8.Ramona's World(1999)
Reading age: 6+ years
The Ramona Quimby series follows the lively, imaginative, and sometimes exasperating Ramona as she grows from an energetic preschooler into a more thoughtful elementary school student.
Ramona approaches everyday life with strong opinions, big feelings, and a determination to be understood. Whether she is dealing with school, friendships, family changes, money worries, or her relationship with her older sister Beezus, her good intentions often lead to unexpected trouble. Beverly Cleary’s warm, humorous stories capture the frustrations, embarrassments, and small triumphs of childhood with honesty and affection. The trials and triumphs of growing up are depicted through a relatable heroine who isn't afraid to be exactly who she is.
Funny, reassuring, and sharply observed, the series remains especially appealing to readers who enjoy realistic family stories and characters who do not always get things right. These books continue to make young readers laugh in recognition and pleasure. They're perfect for independent and shared reading, at home or in the classroom.