Cleary, B. (1999). Ramona's world. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books.


Ramona is a fourth grader who wishes nothing more than to be grown up like her big sister, Beezus. Her sister is so popular and is invited to parties and is asked to babysit for other families in the neighborhood. The most grown-up thing Ramona is asked to do is learn how to spell. What difference does it make if she how to spell? You know what she means, right? Well, that is how Ramona thinks of spelling. Ramona faces the same daily challenges as most fourth graders. She has friends at school and some that her mother wants her to be friends with. Her best friend, Daisy, is new to the school and is the best friend Ramona could ask for. Finally, Ramona has an opportunity to show she is a responsible fourth grader. Can she handle the responsibility? 


Ramona's World (1999) is a realistic fiction story because it is within the realm of possibility that such events could occur or have occurred. I would categorize this book as either a situational realism story or emotional realism. Ramona's situation is set in a suburban type neighborhood, a family of five, and a middle class family. Ramona's emotions about growing up and her views of school and the importance of learning how to spell could also place this book in the emotional realism category. 


Ramona's World (1999) is about a nuclear family which includes three daughters. Ramona is the middle child who feels that she must live up to the reputation her sister is upholding in the neighborhood and in the family. Beezus, who's real name is Beatrice, is known as the quiet, responsible, sensible daughter. Ramona is more outspoken and care-free. Roberta is the youngest and isn't able to speak yet, although her personality is beginning to show more everyday. Ramona and Beezus don't always get along, partly because Ramona is jealous of her older sister. Ramona wishes she could babysit, go to parties, and receive numerous phone calls after school. I am sure most children can relate to Ramona in this way. They are either feeling this way about a sibling or siblings, or will feel this way at some point with siblings. 
Although Ramona is only a fourth grader, she deals with acceptance by peers, as do most children even at a young age. There are some students in Ramona's class who are pretty snooty and Ramona doesn't get along well with them. She has one close friend, Daisy, who is new to the school, but Ramona takes up with her right away and they find they have much in common. Ramona values their friendship very deeply. There is a boy who isn't very nice to Ramona and they don't necessarily talk much, but they like each other. I am most certain that children would relate to this aspect of the story, especially the girls. 
There is a moral lesson to be learned in this story. Responsibility is not decided by how old you are, but by how you handle certain situations. Without giving away the story, I am not going to describe Ramona's situation, but she proved to her mother near the end of the story that she was, after all, learning to be a responsible young lady just like her sister, Beezus.


I believe a good idea for this book is have students keep a journal while they are reading. No formal writing necessarily, just notes on what they thought about a certain part, how they can relate or maybe even what they would do in Ramona's situation. Have a time to share some of their thoughts and discuss. 


BIG question:
Explain what you believe makes a person responsible.