Ramona the Brave

Analyze Ramona’s need for attention, particularly from adults in her life. Examine the scene with Mrs. Kemp and those with her teacher, Mrs. Griggs. What important aspect of child development and psychology is Cleary addressing here, and why are Ramona’s efforts often mistaken as misbehavior?

How are Ramona and Howie different? Will their friendship recover from his refusal to support her in front of the class? Will Ramona’s personality set her up to struggle with making friends in the future?

Discuss the nuances of Mrs. Griggs as a character. Is she a good teacher? What does Ramona learn from her? Was Ramona’s forced public apology appropriate?

What does the Wild Animals of Africa book symbolize? Early in the novel, Ramona is intrigued by the book, but later it scares her. Why does she attach so much anxiety and fear to the book?

Discuss how Cleary explores the power of creativity specifically through art in the novel. Why is Ramona soothed by coloring, sketching, cutting, and pasting? Why is Susan’s act of copying the owl so egregious to Ramona?

Cleary wrote the novel in the 1970s, yet it feels timeless in many ways. Are there specific moments where the novel shows its age?

Analyze Mr. and Mrs. Quimby’s parenting techniques. Are they too dismissive of the children? Discuss the challenge of parenting two children with vastly different personalities living under the same roof.

How does Cleary use humor to balance some of the more serious moments in the novel?