By: Megan Simon Beverly Cleary

In The Beginning… Born Beverly Atlee Bunn on April 12, 1916 McMinnville, OR Mother ran a library over a bank Struggled reading Education University of California at Berkeley School of Librarianship at University of Washington, Seattle Librarian at Yakima, Washington

Eventually… Married Clarence Cleary Mother of twins Wrote first book in her early thirties. Henry Huggins Her Style: bases her books off of people she knew Hobbies: Traveling Needlework Advocate of the D.E.A.R program (Drop Everything And Read)

Beverly Cleary Said… “People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.” “What interests me is what children go through while growing up.” “I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.” “I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.”

Most Importantly She Said… “Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.” “Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only answer I can give is, In childhood.” “One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book to look at the pictures and discovered that even though I did not want to, I was reading. I have been a reader ever since.” “From my own experiences and the world around me.” (when asked where she comes up with her ideas for her books.)

She Wrote… Henry Huggins (1950) Ellen Tebbits (1951) Henry and Beezus (1952) Otis Spofford (1953) Henry and Ribsy (1954) Beezus and Ramona (1955) Fifteen (1956) Henry and the Paper Route (1957) Luckiest Girl, the (1958) Jean and Johnny (1958) Emily's Runaway Imagination (1960) Real Hole, the (1960) Hullabaloo ABC (1960) Two Dog Biscuits (1961) Henry and the Clubhouse (1962) Sister of the Bride (1963) Ribsy (1964) Mouse and the Motorcycle, the (1965)

And… Ramona Forever (1984) Lucky Chuck (1984) Mitch and Amy (1967) Ramona the Pest (1968) Runaway Ralph (1970) Socks (1973) Ramona the Brave (1975) Ramona and Her Father (1977) Ramona and Her Mother (1979) Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (1981) Ralph S. Mouse (1982) Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983) Ramona Forever (1984) Lucky Chuck (1984) Growing-up Feet, the (1987) Janet's Thingamajigs (1987) Muggie Maggie (1990) Petey's Bedtime Story (1993) Strider (1997) Ramona's World (1999)

The Series… Ramona Ralph S. Mouse Henry Huggins

The Books Themselves…

And The Rest…

Her Awards… 1984 Newbery Medal, Dear Mr. Henshaw 1978 Newbery Honor Book, Ramona and Her Father 1982 Newbery Honor Book, Ramona Quimby, Age 8 American Library Association's 1975 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Catholic Library Association's 1980 Regina Medal, Children's Book Council's 1985 Everychild Award And over 35 state awards AND there was a school built and named after her-now that is an honor!

Links… Beverly Cleary's Website Scholastic/Beverly Cleary