Ramona Quimby Books in Order: How to read Beverly Cleary’s series?

American writer of children’s and young adult fiction, Beverly Cleary passed away recently (in 2021) leaving behind her popular series like the one about Henry Huggins and its spin-off series about young Ramona Quimby. In the Henry Huggins books, Beatrice, known as Beezus, was one of Henry’s friends, and her younger sister Ramona was generally a pest to Henry, Beezus, and the other children. But now, she’s the star of her own series that takes place in the same neighborhood, obviously. It’s a realistic work of fiction about childhood.

How to read the Ramona Quimby Series in Order?

Every entry in the Ramona Quimby book series works as a standalone story, but the lives of the different characters evolve from one novel to the other.

1. Beezus and Ramona – Having a little sister like four-year-old Ramona isn’t always easy for Beezus Quimby. With a wild imagination, disregard for order, and an appetite for chaos, Ramona makes it hard for Beezus to be the responsible older sister she knows she ought to be…especially when Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus’s birthday party. Will Beezus find the patience to handle her little sister before Ramona turns her big day into a complete disaster?
2. Ramona the Pest – Ramona Quimby is excited to start kindergarten. No longer does she have to watch her older sister, Beezus, ride the bus to school with all the big kids. She’s finally old enough to do it too! Then she gets into trouble for pulling her classmate’s boingy curls during recess. Even worse, her crush rejects her in front of everyone. Beezus says Ramona needs to quit being a pest, but how can she stop if she never was trying to be one in the first place?
3. Ramona the Brave – For a girl as enthusiastic about life as Ramona, starting the first grade should be easy! But with a teacher who doesn’t understand her, a tattletale classmate, and a scary dog who follows her on the walk home from school, Ramona has a hard time acting like the big girl everyone expects her to be. But when she shows up to school with a missing shoe, Ramona gets a fresh grip on her courage in order to make it through a mortifying situation.

4. Ramona and Her Father – Seven-year-old Ramona world is turned upside-down when her father unexpectedly loses his job. Things grow tense in the Quimby house, but Ramona resolves to help in any way she can-even downsizing her Christmas list. But with bills piling up and her parents constantly stressed, Ramona wonders if life will ever go back to normal.
5. Ramona and Her Mother – Ramona Quimby is no longer seven, but not quite eight. She’s “seven and a half right now,” if you ask her. Not allowed to stay home alone, yet old enough to watch pesky Willa Jean, Ramona wonders when her mother will treat her like her older, more mature sister, Beezus. But with her parents’ unsettling quarrels and some spelling trouble at school, Ramona wonders if growing up is all it’s cracked up to be. No matter what, she’ll always be her mother’s little girl…right?
6. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 – Ramona likes that she’s old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape. In Ramona’s world, being eight isn’t easy, but it’s never dull!

7. Ramona Forever – Life can move pretty fast-especially when you’re in the third grade, your teenage sister’s moods drive you crazy, and your mom has a suspicious secret she just won’t share. Plus, Mr. Quimby’s new job offer could have the entire family relocating. It’s a lot to handle for Ramona. But whatever trial comes her way, Ramona can count on one thing for sure-she’ll always be Ramona…forever!
8. Ramona’s World – Ramona Quimby can’t wait to start fourth grade. With a new baby sister to brag about, new calluses to show off, and a new best friend to get to know, everything’s going to be great! Or is it? When Ramona’s spelling is atrocious, her teacher, Mrs. Meacham, is firm about her needing to improve. Then a scary incident at a friend’s house leaves Ramona feeling at fault. Who knew growing up could be filled with such complicated situations?

If you like this Ramona Quimby reading order, you can check out our guides for the Junie B. Jones series and the other novels written by Beverly Cleary. Don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to discover more book series.