Mystery

Ramona is back! New and old friends alike will rejoice in Beverly Cleary's latest book about spunky Ramona and the whole Quimby family.

From the minute that Howie Kemp's Uncle Hobart arrives from Saudi Arabia, things are off to a rousing start. There are new beginnings and discoveries and two very special surprises; one surprise is big and one is very little.

It's a time of change for all the Quimbys; a time of new joys and little sadnesses, too. There are new worries: Mr Quimby is worried about finding a teaching job, Ramona is worried they may have to move if he does, and Beezus is worried about her teenage complexion.

And through it all 8-year-old Ramona, a grown up third-grader, remains a sometimes pesty, sometimes brave, sometimes blunderful, but always wonderful Ramona - forever!

My most recent attempt to learn what's in store for me with my own Ramona, my 9-month old granddaughter.

Ramona in the book is in third grade. The household experiences some upsets in that her father is trying to find a job, but the only offer he has is in southwestern Oregon, near Idaho and sheep country. Her delightful Aunt Bea gets engaged to the uncle of Ramona's friend, Howie. The uncle has just come back from Saudi Arabia, and might (or might not) be a rich uncle. Ramona isn't sure she appreciates his sense of humor. Oh, and then, Ramona's mother gets pregnant, and Ramona has to worry about whether or not her parents will still love her once they have someone else in their lives. And so on.

Another charmingly endearing book. Perhaps all Ramonas are endearing, or perhaps it's just my granddaughter, Ramona, and also Ramona Quimby. ( )

The further adventures of Ramona. In this book, she is tired of being baby-sat and having to play with Howie's little sister. And besides that, Howie's uncle is annoying. And then the cat dies... ( )

Ramona doesn't know it yet, but two big, exciting events are just around the corner. Her Aunt Beatrice has a boyfriend, and things are getting serious -- and are Ramona's parents acting like they have another secret? Maybe...

I always think of this as the last book in the series, because it was, back when I first read it. It's also the one I remember best -- in reviews of other books, I have mentioned that they tend to run together in my memory, but this one stands out a little more. ( )