Friday, July 30, 2010

Beezus and Ramona

Beezus and Ramona Movie Tie-in EditionBeezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

AR Reading Level: 4.8
On the library stacks: Children's Fiction
Series: Book 1 of 8 (Ramona)
Recommended for: Grades 2+


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My mom has been in town for a few weeks. She taught second grade for years and she has the best read-aloud voice ever. As an incentive, I told my kids that whoever listened to Nana read Beezus and Ramona would get to go to the movie at the end of the week. My 6, 8, and 9-year old kids all took up the challenge and we had a blast, both listening and watching.

This initial installment in the Ramona series features 9-year old Beezus and 4-year old Ramona. Ramona is into everything--riding her tricycle in the living room, taking over Beezus' art class, destroying library books, eating one bite out of every apple from an entire box, inviting her friends over for a party without telling anyone, and ruining Beezus' birthday. I actually really felt for Beezus! (and for my 9-year old since we have our own little 4-year old "Ramona").

I laughed and cried both reading the book and watching the movie. I didn't realize that the movie is actually based on ALL the Ramona books, not just this one. But it captures the spirit and essence of the books perfectly. This was a fun summer activity for our family, and I definitely recommend both the movie and the book.

Also reviewed by: The Book Bluff ~ Becky's Book Reviews ~ Your link here?

Book 68 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge

Source: Purchased

3 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I wish I had a great read aloud voice like that. I love these books and really want to see the movie.

Jessica (The Bluestocking Society) said...

I read all of the Ramona books as a kid and loved them. I want to see the movie! I didn't know, either, that the movie was based on all of the books. I should go pull them out of storage and read a couple before heading to the theatre.

I can't wait until my kids are old enough to do these kinds of activities with. And I miss being read aloud too. Can I get your mom to come over and read to me?

KIKA said...

Tricia! oh I love these books :D Have you heard the tape ones with stockhard channing? (that's totally spelled wrong) They're awesome! so glad you loved them! I did too! I discovered the Ramona books recently---like last year haha and no I was not embarrassed to be a college student walking around reading Ramona and Beezus! ;)