Ramona Quimby Age 8 Analysis, Activities and Lesson Plans
Cleary, Beverly. Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Ill. Alan Tiegreen. New York: Avon Books, 1992 (1981).
Category: Newbery Honor Book; contemporary realistic fiction
Approximate age group: Middle Elementary
Analysis: Beverly Cleary is a winner of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her 40 year contribution to children's literature. She also has three Newbery Honor books, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is one of them.
The formatting of this book is characteristic of most books for this reading level. Well-spaced, medium-sized, bold print, makes for easy reading. The paper is thick and durable, great for a lot of lengthy, hands-on reading. Chapter numbers, chapter titles, and starting page numbers can all be found on the table of contents page, which has the same set-up and typeface as the chapter start pages. The chapter titles are also centered at the top of every odd numbered page, and serve as a good reference for young readers.
In another illustration (from chapter three: "The Hard-boiled Egg Fad"), Ramona is leaning forward on a cot, her knees together, hands folded in her lap, hair disheveled, and the door between her and the sink is slightly ajar. "Then, Ramona made an interesting discovery. Teachers talked about their classes."
Cleary uses tenderness, humor, and a simple, straightforward plot that is easy for young readers to follow. She is an uncanny ability to speak to the reader like no one else, and has created a rounded and identifiable character through which to do so. Ramona's personal dilemmas, discoveries, and disappointments are universal. The life events portrayed in this story are significant and concern issues that every child in this age group faces, including peer relationships, family roles, coping, fitting in, problem solving, and the idea and meaning behind being grown-up.
Activities:
Free Activities
- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 Literature Unit - activities, vocabulary, quizzes, and more
As always, EdHelper to the rescue is a recommended and loved source of mine for free and member printouts, activities, quizzes, tests, etc. - Interactive English Language Arts Teaching Tools for Today\'s Classroom: Book Punch
(Please note I have not checked this site or its downloads.) Book Punch provides interactive writing prompts about well-known books. Built-in tips help students learn to write a well-crafted response to literature.
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