RAMONA AND BEEZUS



Ramona and Beezus blends several of Beverly Cleary’s wonderful books together into a funny and enjoyable movie. The key factor is the actress who plays Ramona: Joey King. She’s terrific as the nine-year-old girl who creates chaos wherever she goes. As you can see, I’m a fan of Selena Gomez who plays Ramona’s older sister, Beatrice (aka “Beezus). John Corbett plays Ramona’s amiable father who suddenly loses his job and creates a family crisis. And, Ginnifer Goodwin, who stole my heart in He’s Just Not That Into You, looks adorable as Ramona’s Aunt Bea. Diane and I read Beverly Cleary’s marvelous books to our kids. Diane read them to her students. I just read them for fun. The movie version captures some of the great moments in the Ramona books: the egg incident, Picture Day, Ramona selling lemonade, Ramona washing an SUV (you’ll laugh out loud!), and Ramona doing her Class Presentation. Cleary’s portrait of a struggling family with a precocious child will amuse and delight you. GRADE: B+

13 thoughts on “RAMONA AND BEEZUS

  1. Richard Robinson

    I read a couple of these long ago when I took a Children’s Lit course in college, part of the education curricula, but I got credit as an English Lit major. Anyhow, I remember them as light, awfully goody-goody, not particularly realistic but adequate child’s fare. I don’t think the film would interest me, but I hope it does well simply because it’s nice to have something besides blow-em-up, shoot-em-all films make any money.

  2. george Post author

    Phil would actually enjoy RAMONA AND BEEZUS, Patti. There’s enough cleverness in the plot to hold an adult’s attention.

  3. george Post author

    When Ramona’s father loses his job, Ramona tries to save the family, Rick. I found it realistic, funny, and touching.

  4. Jeff Meyerson

    No, we never got into Baltimore, just passed it on the road, though I told Jeff your suggestion. Ann was doing genealogical research in the Archives while Jeff bantered (undercover) with Glenn Beck’s followers.

  5. JILL Davis

    I love the Beverly Cleary books. My favorite charcter is Beezus. The movie is great
    too. My favorite singer and actress is Selena Marrie

  6. JILL Davis

    My last comment posted before I was done writing. I love Beverly Cleary books. My favorite character is Beezus. The movie is great too. My favorite singer and actress is Selena Marrie Gomez, she does a phenomenal job playing Beezus!

  7. george Post author

    I was hoping RAMONA AND BEEZUS would be the beginning of a series of movies, Jill. But it didn’t turn out that way. I’m with you on Selena.

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