Last fall, as a substitute teacher at a Native American pueblo school, I started reading "Ramona the Pest" to second graders, largely of Native American and Latino heritage. They loved it. They kept asking to read some more, until I read the first five chapters and started losing my voice.
I adore Beverly Cleary's work. One can say it is dated, or it is about white suburbia just after WWII. It is. It most certainly is. But there is so much universality among children of any modern nation that she remains compelling reading and remains fun above all else. The woman is now approaching 104 years old and is still with us. It is a blessing to have her books and those who know her, a blessing for them to be with her.
I had gotten to thinking about Beverly Cleary when I came across this article from Literary Hub.
I had gotten to thinking about Beverly Cleary when I came across this article from Literary Hub.
