We just finished listening to Ramona Forever read by Stockard Channing (whose nasally voice turns out to be just right) on our drives to school. Although the older boys groaned, no one wanted to get out of the car when we pulled up to our destinations before a chapter was ended. Funny, dear Ramona - she far outshines Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones! Dear Mrs. Cleary, you have a gift for understanding the angst of an eight year old who doesn't understand why grown-ups don't understand their troubles. You end each book with a hopeful resolution, even if you don't tie up all the loose ends into neat little bows.
Poor Mr. Quimby, surrounded by all these woman, and resigned to working in the Shop Rite Market. While I think him awfully kind for being so considerate of his wife and daughters' desires, I wonder why he doesn't at least make a visit to the one room school in rural Oregon which offers him a job. The Shop Rite is always there. Perhaps Mr. Quimby finds a job as an art teacher in the next book, or perhaps it turns out he is happy to have a job that pays the bills and isn't so wistful anymore about his dream.
On the other hand, there's Aunt Beatrice, who runs off with Uncle Hobart to Alaska so soon after meeting up with him again and rushing into marriage. Couldn't she at least have waited until after Mrs. Q's baby came? I was surprised that Mr. and Mrs. Quimby didn't send Ramona and Beezus to stay with Mrs. Kemp when baby Algie is on the way. And how did Grandpa Day make such a quick exit back to California after the wedding?
But these questions don't detract from our enjoyment of spending time with the Quimbys - Ramona is always entertaining.
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