Ramona had reached the age of demanding accuracy from everyone, even herself. All summer, whenever a grown-up asked what grade she was in, she felt as if she were fibbing when she answered “third,” because she had not actually started the third grade. Still, she could not say she was in the second grade since she had finished that grade last June. Grown-ups did not understand that summers were free from grades.
Ramona Quimby has finally reached third grade. She has a teacher named Mrs. Whaley and a new nemesis whom she calls “Yard Ape.” In “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” Ramona learns how to jazz up a book report, gets stuck playing with her friend Howie’s little sister Willa Jean, and learns humility.
Ramona’s father goes back to school to become an art teacher. As a result, Mrs. Quimby continues to work which means that Ramona must stay at Howie’s house after school. Now that Howie has new a bicycle and friends to ride with, Ramona gets stuck playing inside with his little sister Willa Jean. Ramona takes advantage of her knowledge of silent reading and school work to convince Willa Jean that she has too much homework to play. It works until Willa Jean figures out her ruse.
Once again Ramona finds herself the target of humiliation in school. A new lunch fad begins where hard-boiled eggs are what to have in your lunchbox. Ramona joins in the fad and fits right in until…Ramona goes to participate in cracking the egg against her head to peel it. Guess what happens? One day, Ramona is working quietly at her desk when she suddenly begins to not feel well. She tries not to think about the oatmeal that she ate for breakfast, but without success. After that, a catastrophe strikes!
On the other hand, Ramona also proves herself — at home and in school. One night at dinner, Ramona and her older sister Beezus complain so much about her parents’ choice of meat that they are challenged to make dinner themselves. The next night, the girls set out to prove to their parents that they can do it. Even though the chicken did not quite turn out the way they had hoped and the corn bread was a little less fluffy than they wanted, Mr. and Mrs. Quimby ate with appreciation and even cleaned up the kitchen. As for school, Ramona had to complete a book report and then present it like a commercial. When she gets a fabulous idea from her father, her project turns out to be a rousing success.
Reading “Ramona Quimby, Age 8” is a fun way to show your school-age child that even the most embarrassing situations can turn out okay. This book has a fantastic story line with characters who will steal your heart.
“Ramona Quimby, Age 8” is available at most major booksellers, including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Borders.