Ramona the Pest

Throughout the book, there are instances of misunderstandings between Ramona and the other characters. For example, in Chapter 1, when Ramona thinks that Miss Binney is going to give her a gift, when really Miss Binney is referring to “the present,” as in the current moment in time. What does this type of misunderstanding say about Ramona and about children’s psychology in general?

One of the worst things to Ramona is being a “baby.” Pick 3 moments in the book when being “baby-ish” appears. How do each of these moments relate to larger themes in the book about growing up?

Ramona’s family is comprised of her mother (Mrs. Quimby), her father (Mr. Quimby), and her older sister (Beezus). What is Ramona’s relationship to each member of her family and what do each of these relationships tell us about Ramona as a person? Analyze at least 3 moments in the book, one with each of Ramona’s family members.

Ramona explains in Chapter 1 that part of her needing to be a “pest” and cause a “great big noisy fuss sometimes,” is because “great big noisy fusses were often necessary when a girl was the youngest member of the family and the youngest person on her block” (5). Unpack this quote as it relates to larger themes in the book of individuality and growing up.

In Chapter 5, Ramona proposes to Henry Huggins with a worm engagement ring for rescuing her when she was stuck in the mud. How does this moment, and this chapter, encapsulate everything that makes Ramona a unique little girl?

In Chapter 6, when Ramona is a witch for Halloween, Ramona worries that her mother will forget her. What does this say about Ramona? Explore this chapter in terms of Ramona’s desire to be an individual.

Compare and contrast Ramona with her two classmates, Howie and Susan. What can we infer about Ramona’s core personality traits when we view these children and their different personalities side-by-side?

For Ramona, the love and affection of her teacher Miss Binney means a great deal to her. How does this love and affection for Miss Binney guide the course of the book? What do these intense feelings for Miss Binney, and by extension children’s caregivers at large, say about childhood attachment in general?