Ramona and Her Father

Ramona is in Glenwood School and all is going well until one day her father comes home and announces he has lost his job. The Quimbys must now cope with the breadwinner searching for another job, filling out job applications and collecting unemployment insurance. Mrs. Quimby goes to work full-time, but things are still very tight for the family. Mr. Quimby sinks into depression and Mrs. Quimby tells the children that they must not do anything that would further upset their dad.

Ramona wants to help, so she crosses almost everything off her wish list for Christmas. Then she adds one more item – a happy family - hoping that her wish comes true. The Quimbys are also dealing with the family's temperamental car, Beezus' problems with her creative writing class, and Ramona's efforts to get her father to stop smoking. One day when Ramona worries about the family, Mr. Quimby reassures her the Quimbys will always be together and strong, no matter what happens.

That Christmas Beezus and Ramona participate in their church's Christmas pageant. Beezus is to be the Virgin Mary and Ramona decides that she and her friends Howie and Davy should be sheep. Unfortunately, her Mother doesn't have time to sew a costume so Ramona has to wear a pair of old pajamas, which she hates. In the end, the sheep steal the show and Ramona and her family share a wonderful night together.

Ramona and Her Father was a 1978 Newbery Honor book. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review for "books of remarkable merit", citing Cleary's ability to accurately convey the concerns of children, including Ramona's feelings about her father's smoking.[2] Scholastic's review also pointed out Cleary's ability to portray children's troubles, saying, "Cleary has a perfect instinct for expressing the mixed emotions that inform children's actions"[3] Children's Literature agreed, "Beverly Cleary's books are always funny and insightful."[4] In 2012 it was ranked number 94 on a list of the top 100 children's novels published by School Library Journal.[5]

• Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby – Older sister who is in seventh grade.
• Mrs. Quimby – Mother Dorothy.
• Mr. Quimby – Father Robert.
• Howard "Howie" Kemp – Ramona's friend since Beezus and Ramona.
• Picky Picky – The Quimby's old yellow cat who is 11.
• Mrs. Rogers – Ramona's second grade teacher.
• David "Davy" – A boy who Ramona tried to kiss in Ramona the Pest and tried to help with school work in Ramona the Brave.
• Mrs. Russo – Ramona's Sunday school teacher.
• Willa Jean – Howie's little sister since Beezus and Ramona.
• Mrs. Kemp – Howie's mother since Beezus and Ramona.
• Mrs. Swink – An old lady whom Ramona and Beezus go visit for an interview for Beezus' creative writing. She gave Ramona the idea for tin can stilts.
• Margarine Boy – A boy Ramona's age in a commercial.

• Newbery Honor Book[6]
• Land of Enchantment Book Award (New Mexico)
• Texas Bluebonnet Award
• Nene Award (Hawaii)
• Beehive Award (Utah)
• IRA/CBC Children's Choice[7]

In 1978, the same year the book became a Newbery Honor Book, Random House recorded a dramatization of the book. Narrated by John Stratton, the dramatization featured Sarah Jessica Parker as Ramona, Keith Charles as Father, Karen Dehle as Mother, Kathy Gene as Beezus, Gian Carlo as Howie, Eleanor Phelps as Mrs. Swink and Denise Moses as a girl in the Christmas pageant.

Audio Formats: Ramona and Her Father is available in cassette, CD and eAudiobook from Random House/Listening Library.[8]

Print/English: The first edition of the book was illustrated by Alan Tiegreen, the current edition by Tracy Dockray. Large print books are published ABC-CLIO, 1988, and e-Books by Palatine, IL: Novel Units, 1992;[8]

Print/Worldwide: As of 2010, 121 editions of Ramona and Her Father had been published in 11 languages.[9]

• Beverly Cleary Website
• Ramona and Her Father games retrieved 4/27/2012