Reader discussion: Ramona

Public reader discussion about Ramona in the WeRead Catalog by Helen Hunt Jackson.

Children's book author Beverly Cleary passed away at 104 years old

By brushDuck64

Beverly Cleary is honestly a genius. She makes these little stories feel so real, like the character stuff is just built in without you even noticing. I feel like she’s a master at getting a lot in a small space. If it’s been a while since you read the Ramona books, you should go back—there’s a lot going on there, and it’s genuinely funny. I’m really grateful she was around, and it still makes me sad that she’s gone.

What's a good age to start reading chapter books to my daughter?

By brisk-porch

My daughter just turned a bit over 2.5. Right now every night we do two short kids books—basically not much text, mostly pictures. I’m wondering when it’s realistic to start trying chapter books with her, like something along the lines of Percy Jackson, and have her actually follow what’s going on. She’s my first, so I honestly have no clue what to expect as she grows and learns lol

Life in Hemet

By night-espresso2002

I’m relocating to Hemet from Jersey next month and I’ve been trying to figure out what day-to-day life is like there. I’m 25 and single, not sure if that changes anything.

Adult books with Ramona Quimby vibes

By Tender_Gynecic4026

As a kid I basically devoured books like Ramona, the Katie John books, Mandy, Dear America, etc.—girls who feel really strong, with a bit of whimsy but also tons of adventure. Does anyone know of adult books that give off that same energy? The world feels so heavy lately, and I want something that pulls me in, but I’m hoping I don’t have to wade through a bunch of super intense trigger warnings or trauma stuff.

What books did you love as a child? Would you read them now?

By WillReads77

When I was a kid, I was seriously obsessed with Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. I also liked Magic Tree House, but that one was my all-time favorite by far. I wasn’t really a big reader as a child, but I definitely read more now as an adult. Even now I kind of want the original series just because, and maybe I’d reread it just for funsies. Also… kind of embarrassing (but not really), I grabbed a Magic Tree House book months ago at Target because I was feeling really overwhelmed and needed something mindless. I wasn’t even planning to buy anything, I just saw it and grabbed it. And honestly it helped a lot. It gave me that little pause I wanted while I was sitting there reading, and it brought back that nostalgia feeling like when everything was a lot simpler. I still have it too, and I’m thinking of saving it for my kids when they’re ready since they’re starting to get into reading now. So yeah, I’m curious—what books were everyone’s big favorites growing up? And would you actually reread them as an adult?

Kids books like Ramona Quimby

By Mystax

My 7-year-old’s been really into the Ramona books, and I want to find more stuff that hits the same vibe, but she’s pretty picky. She doesn’t like chapter books where you kind of need the next chapter to get the story going—more like she wants a series feel where each book/story works on its own. Also I’d like something that isn’t too graphic/over-illustrated for reading out loud (she can read Wimpy Kid herself, but it’s not great for me to read aloud). If there are British stories or more non-white characters in the mix, that’d be awesome, but it’s not a must. Any ideas would be really appreciated! Edit: Thanks for all the suggestions—lots of fun ones! One I didn’t mention at first that seems to match her tastes is Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf. And when she was younger, we also liked My Naughty Little Sister, just flagging it in case it isn’t widely known in the US. 😉

How many of you have read Helen Hunt Jackson's Ramona?

By FaintCup5485

A Terrible Glory / James Donavan Black Elk Speaks / Black Elk The Black West / William Loren Katz The Comanches Lords of the Plains / Wallace and Hoebel Just a few that are sitting on my nightstand 🪶 I feel like most folks don’t realize Buffalo Soldiers also helped Native people too—like they broke away from the cavalry and ended up living among the tribes. Some of them were adopted, and that’s part of why you’ll see different skin tones in some communities, like the Seminoles. Not 100% sure I’ve got all the details right, but that’s what I’ve been reading.

What books/series did you read with your kids or got you into reading?

By KLost9

I’m a parent of two girls and I’ve been a reader/writer my whole life. Right now they’re still on those cardboard picture books with the sound effects, but I’m starting to collect some books they can grow into as they get older. I already have some classic fairy tale stuff, plus a couple really nice older classics I’ve found (like a Jane Austen collection). When I was a kid, I read a bunch of great series—Harry Potter, the Boxcar Children, Redwall, Hardy Boys, Tamora Pierce, and more. A lot of my old books have been given away or sold over the years, so I’m always watching for good new series to add. If anyone has recommendations for other series they and their kids/parents really liked, I’d love to hear them!

Favourite authors that debuted in the 21st century?

By Island_Rapid

Lately there’s been a lot of talk about contemporary fiction on here, which I’m glad about, but I’m also curious what people’s all-time favorites are just from this century. Mine are probably: Hanya Yanagihara Zadie Smith Ottessa Moshfegh Rachel Kushner Sayaka Murata Mieko Kawakami I’m kind of a fan of R.F. Kuang and I really respect her work, but since she mostly writes in that more specific genre (and it’s kind of outside what I mean by “usual”), I’m a little unsure about putting her in the main list. I’d say she still earns an honorable mention though. I honestly loved *Yellowface*.

Which book do you think had a huge impact on your childhood?

By BenLovesBooks

It’s been a couple weeks since Harry’s House dropped, and I’d already listened to Matilda on it, so I figured I’d give that track a listen. I did it mostly because Roald Dahl’s Matilda has been my favorite childhood book for forever. While I was listening, I kept thinking about how much the book stuck with me, and yeah, I teared up a bit too—this song hits way too close to home. When I reflect on it, I feel like I was pretty similar to Matilda. I was always reading as a kid, kind of obsessed with books. I definitely wasn’t as “smart” as her, but I really related to how she felt with her family. I also found myself wishing I had a Ms. Honey in my life (and honestly, I got that vibe from some amazing English teachers, so I’m grateful). Looking back, the whole story gave me more courage to speak up for myself and just keep going when things were rough. Even now, I’ll reread Matilda when I feel like I need a push, because it still feels hopeful in a way I really need. I just think it’s cool how having a character you can relate to made my childhood feel a little easier and made a lot of things seem less bleak. So, I’m curious—what book really impacted your childhood, and what about it made it stick?

Which is the book that reminds you of your childhood days?

By Heather_Table81

A couple days ago, out of nowhere, I was thinking about that rainy day feeling and remembered the 90s when our school library had all those hardcover Nancy Drew books. I still get this urge to go back and re-read every single one, because borrowing a new one every week was so exciting. I’m in my mid-30s now, and I kind of wish I was younger just so I could feel that same first-time joy of grabbing my favorite book again.

I just watched Ramona and Beezus with my 7 year old daughter.

By happyWindow90

I haven’t watched the movie, and I don’t really plan to. I loved Beezus and Ramona growing up—like, it was one of the first books I read by myself that wasn’t just a super easy reader—so I don’t want to mess up the version of the story I’ve got in my head. I guess if I end up having kids, though, I won’t be able to dodge stuff like that. ;)

What is the most relatable fear or moment that you've read in a book/story that you consider old?

By Prologue_Pink

One thing I really like about older books is that you can tell how the language changed over time, but people themselves don’t seem to change much. I just started A Christmas Carol this year, and it hit me how, even in 2023, the scariest thing I can imagine is some ghost yanking me out of my house just to make me go see people I know so I can hear them trash me behind my back. I feel like stuff like that will probably make sense to people for a long time.

Trying to watch two Ramona films (1916) and (1946). Where to start?

By orangeFinch

I’ve been trying to get to two movie adaptations of Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel, but right now they’re basically out of reach for me, and I could really use some advice. If there are any film preservation folks or lost media people here, how would you even start trying to track them down? 1) The 1916 version, directed by Donald Crisp with Adda Gleason and Monroe Salisbury. I read that it used to be partly lost, but now the Library of Congress supposedly has the full 3-hour print in their records. What’s the process like to access something like that? Can regular people actually view LOC materials, or do you have to wait for copies to get made and end up in private collections? 2) The Mexican film from 1946—Esther Fernandez and Antonio Badú, directed by Victor Urruchúa, produced by Promex S.A., distributed by Filmex S.A. I don’t have much experience searching for Spanish-language releases, so I’m honestly not even sure where to begin. Any pointers on where to look or what steps to take would be super appreciated. Thanks!

Happy 101st birthday to "Beezus and Ramona" author Beverly Cleary, my favorite children and YA author

By Garden

Whenever her name pops up online I get this little jolt of “oh no, did something happen?”—it’s like I’m scared she’s gone. Really relieved to see she’s still here :)

Chapter books like ‘Babysitter’s club’

By cosmosharbor41

I’m trying to find some chapter books for my 8-year-old daughter. She really likes the kind, friendly vibe of books like Babysitter’s Club and Katie the cat sitter, but most of those seem to be graphic novels. Can anyone suggest something with a similar feel but in regular chapter book form? Also, she’s fine with Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I’d love more books that are just… kinder.

What are some childhood books that really hold up well for adults?

By mellowturtle2006

I probably could’ve thrown this on another site too, but I figured here would get more people chiming in. What are some kids’ books you still think hold up pretty well for adults? I’ll start with Goosebumps. There was always that joke that they were super repetitive, but a few really stand out for me. The Ghost Next Door is one of them. Like, I know R. L. Stine originally did horror for teens, and you can kind of tell in the early Goosebumps stuff—some of those are way darker than what the series turned into later. This one feels especially grim, and weirdly the ghost stuff isn’t even the scariest part. The gang violence angle is what really drives the whole climax. Also it goes for more emotions than just “be scared” or “lol,” which a lot of the later books seem to stick with. You might actually end up tearing up. For something lighter, I’ve gotta say Bunnicula. That series is almost nonstop funny.

Magic realism

By silver_cougar4061

Since One Hundred Years of Solitude is on Netflix (and it’s actually a really solid adaptation so far), I’ve been wanting more magical realism stuff. I’ve already read: - One Hundred Years of Solitude - House of the Spirits (Allende) - Like Water for Chocolate - Beloved + God Help the Child (Toni Morrison) - Olga Tokarczuk’s books They were all pretty good, even if a couple hit harder than the others, but I liked all of them. Any other recs that are similar? Happy New Year everyone :) Edit: sorry—by “Skin” I meant God Help the Child😅 I’m mixing things up from the Polish title (“Skóra” = “Skin”).

Finally finished the Beartown Trilogy - It has been a long journey.

By AcarusBrisk

I’ve read the whole series over the last two years, which feels like forever, but it’s mostly because I get the books from the library and the waiting lists can be brutal. And yep, one of those years was basically just me trying to finish The Winners. I’ll still recommend the series, even if this might sound like I’m ranting a bit. The first two books are honestly what made me stick it out through 672 pages of Fredrik Backman refusing to let go of his characters (which I get). And then somehow he ties everyone’s lives up in the last 30 pages and it’s all like—people end up successful and things sort of work out. The most unbelievable part for me was Maya being a famous singer. Every time her song lyrics came up (and it was sometimes almost an entire page), I’d just skip it. Still, I’ll give him credit: Amat’s ending totally made sense, and it genuinely made me happy. By the end I went from “I really love Backman’s writing style” to “okay, I’m kind of getting tired of it.” That said, there were still some strong parts, and they were depressing in a way I couldn’t ignore—Ramona and Benji’s deaths hit hard since they’re basically the heart of Beartown and they absolutely wrecked me. On the bright side, Peter kind of pushed me to start baking bread, so I guess there’s that. And if I’m ranking the trilogy, it’s pretty straightforward for me just by release order: - Beartown - Us Against You - The Winners