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Ramona the Pest
Last updated Monday, August 4, 2025
Author: Beverly Cleary
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 0688217214
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2025
Synopsis:
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?
| Note to readers: |
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This is a chapter book, so you’ll probably get through just the first couple chapters. Be sure to remind the kids that they can check out the book from the school library to finish it.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This book is about Ramona’s first day in kindergarten. Can you remember when you started K? How did you feel? What did you learn?
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Ramona doesn’t think she’s a pest. Sometimes your actions can bother others even though you don’t mean to. Can you think of ways that can happen?
Vocabulary
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Pest/pester – someone who bothers, annoys, irritates
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present – the current time OR a gift
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springy – like a spring that bounces up and down (goes “boing,” like Susan’s curls)
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“dawnzer lee light” – “dawn’s early light”
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Why does Ramona think she’s going to get a present from the teacher?
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Explain why Ramona is confused about the words to the national anthem. (I remember when my 5-year-old thought the pledge of allegiance “for which it stands” was about witches!
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Did Ramona mean to hurt Susan when she pulled her hair?
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What would you bring for show-and-tell?
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What’s the difference between a tricycle and bicycle? Did Howie really make Ramona’s bike a two-wheeler?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Ramona writes her last initial (Q) with ears and whiskers like a cat. (See page 78.) The teacher uses descriptions to learn how to write letters, like mountains for the pointy A or M. Write each child’s name in large capital letters. They can decorate each letter to look like something else.
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Write a thank you note to a favorite teacher.
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| Special activities: |
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The kids play Gray Duck. You may know it as Duck-Duck-Goose. Go outside and play a few rounds. https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/duck-duck-goose/
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The kids have quiet time. The person who can stay the most still and silent gets to be the wake-up fairy to wake each friend one by one. Try this with your group.
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REMINDER: if you don’t have air conditioning, on a very hot day your public library has AC to help
keep you cool.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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