Ramona Quimby

The Ramona series is recommended for ages 6-8 (Grades 1st-3rd). Beverly Cleary nails what it feels like to be a kid — the frustrations, the embarrassments, the small victories. These are some of the best early chapter books out there, and they're a great choice for kids transitioning from picture books to longer stories.

Read in publication order: Beezus and Ramona, Ramona the Pest, Ramona the Brave, Ramona and Her Father, Ramona and Her Mother, Ramona Quimby Age 8, Ramona Forever, and Ramona's World. Ramona grows up across the 8 books, from a little sister to a confident kid, which makes reading in order really rewarding.

Ramona and Beezus (2010) with Selena Gomez and Joey King is a fun family movie that blends elements from several books. It's a good watch, though the books have way more depth and humor across all 8 volumes. The movie is a nice introduction that might get your kid interested in reading the series.

Absolutely. The specific details are from an earlier time, but the themes — sibling rivalry, school anxiety, family money struggles, figuring out who you are — those are timeless. A lot of parents enjoy sharing these books from their own childhood. If your kid likes Ramona, they'll probably also enjoy The Penderwicks and Judy Moody.