Beloved children’s book writer Beverly Cleary has left the world a better place with memorable characters like Ramona Quimby and her sister Beezus, Henry Huggins, Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2016, and passed away at the age of 104 in March 2021.
Her legacy will live on: the Library of Congress has named her a Living Legend to honor her achievements. Her Dear Mr. Henshaw also gained the 1984 John Newbery Medal, while Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father were Newbery Honor Books as well.
But above all these awards, what Cleary values most are the stateside awards given to her books, based on the actual votes of young readers!
So how did Beverly Cleary write such endearing stories? A look at her childhood shows us that she loved books from a young age, but ended up in a low reading group in a grammar school in Portland.
The sympathy she gained for struggling readers followed her to adulthood, when she finally started writing stories that she had not found on library shelves when she was younger: funny stories about characters very similar to children in her neighborhood.
9 Best Beverly Cleary Books
If you’ve never read any of Cleary’s books, or if you know a young person who would enjoy her lighthearted stories, check out our list of the best Beverly Cleary books to try right now:
1. Beezus and Ramona
The eight-book Ramona series is definitely a great place for any young reader to start, and this first book features Beezus, who’s struggling with her four-year-old sister Ramona as she threatens to turn Beezus’ birthay party into total chaos!
2. Ramona and Her Father
When 7-year-old Ramona’s dad loses his job, her mother goes back to working out of the house and Ramona takes over the household. This poignant and funny portrayal is very relatable to any American family, with much laughter to boot.
3. Dear Mr. Henshaw
This Newbery Award-winning book features a young boy named Leigh, who starts writing letters to famous author Mr. Henshaw as part of a school assignment. But it goes beyond a class requirement when they become friends, and Leigh shares his deepest thoughts and feelings about his parents’ divorce.
4. Henry Huggins
Henry Huggins is an ordinary kid who wants to have some excitement in his life. He gets his wish when a scrawny dog sits beside him, gazing longingly at his ice cream cone! Henry names the dog Ribsy, and they become fast friends. But what happens when Ribsy’s original owner arrives on the scene?
5. Ribsy
The last book in the 6-part Henry Huggins series features the point of view of Ribsy himself, whose curiosity has always gotten him into trouble. But then he ends up in the wrong station wagon! Surely he will do whatever it takes to get back to Henry, but that’s not to say he can’t have fun along the way!
6. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Ralph is a curious mouse who vows to ride Keith’s red toy motorcycle. And when Keith leaves the room, Ralph makes his dream a reality. But he’s unprepared for the obstacles in his path, including a rowdy terrier and his nosy cousins!
7. Ellen Tebbits
Ellen Tebbits keeps a secret from everyone else—until she meets Austine, whom she finds has the same secret, too! This leads to the girls becoming best friends who do everything together. But what happens when Ellen does something that shatters their friendship? Can Ellen get her best friend back?
8. Emily’s Runaway Imagination
Emily Bartlett is a spunky girl living in an old farmhouse, whose imagination leads to many adventures! During that time, few small towns across the country can afford libraries. Can her lively imagination help her town get a library?
9. Socks
Socks is a cat who has everything: very loving owners, all the kitty treats he could want, and everyone’s life revolving around him! But what happens when a new baby shows up, and Mr. and Mrs. Brickers start giving all their attention to little Charles William? How can this jealous cat get the attention back for himself?
What Age Range Are Beverly Cleary Books For?
Beverly Cleary’s books are best suited for children ages 8–12, or about grades 3–6. This applies to both the reading difficulty level and the themes her stories explore.
Other people think the Ramona Quimby books are better suited for aged 5–10, perhaps because Ramona is four years old at the start of the series. It ultimately depends on your child’s own reading abilities. Check out this post to determine a book’s reading level.
Reading Books by Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary truly made her mark in children’s literature, and readers of all ages can still enjoy revisiting their childhood through the fun antics of Cleary’s characters.
If you want to give a child in your life a book series that will surely stay with them through adulthood, consider one of the bestselling Beverly Cleary series, such as Ramona, Henry Huggins, or Ralph S. Mouse!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
