(for Smart) Mouse, an anthropomorphic rodent whose thirst for adventure and love for motorcycles leads him into exciting situations that take him far from home. Active, imaginative, independent, sometimes obnoxious, but never malicious, Ramona is generally considered a particularly well-rounded characterization.Ĭleary is also well known as the creator of a fantasy series for middle graders featuring Ralph S. Cleary's most popular creation, Ramona Quimby was first introduced as a peripheral character in the first 'Henry Huggins' book, but soon took on a life-and prompted a series-of her own.

The stories I write are stories I would like to have read as a child.' She has received praise for her writing in all of the genres to which she has contributed however, she is most highly regarded as the author of realistic fiction and fantasy, often humorous and in series form, that is directed to primary and middle graders.Ĭleary is perhaps best known as the creator of child characters who live in and around Klickitat Street in Portland, Oregon, an area familiar to Cleary from her own childhood: Henry Huggins, a well-meaning middle grader who gets into scrapes with his dog, the lovable mutt Ribsy and the Quimby sisters, Beatrice (nicknamed Beezus), a responsible girl who is Henry's friend, and her pesky younger sister, Ramona. Cleary told MAICYA: 'I write with a pen on yellow legal pads. A prolific writer with a wide range of interests who has sold over ten million hardcover books and many more paperbacks, she has written picture books, realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction, and has written for audiences ranging from preschoolers through young adults. 2007.Īcknowledged as one of the most beloved authors of children's literature, Beverly Cleary has been writing books for young people for more than fifty years, a period during which she has retained her popularity, critical acclaim, and relevance. 'Beverly (Atlee Bunn) Cleary.' Major Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults, 2nd ed., 8 vols. Children's Author/Illustrator Biographies

Fifteen beverly cleary book review