Ramona and her Father

Cleary, B.  (1975).  Ramona and her Father.  New York: Avon Books.

This book was a Bluebonnet Award  Winner for 1975.  It also was a John Newbery Honor book for the same year.

Ramona Quimby lived with her parents and older sister, Beezus.  They weren't rich but had a comfortable life until her dad lost his job and the only income was their mother's full time job.  They had to cut back on lots of things, especially Christmas and it was really hard for the two girls.  If they couldn't afford extra things, then how could they afford their fathers cigarettes.  Ramona and Beezus went on a campaign to get their father to quit smoking.  Many wonderful things happened between Ramona and her father during this time they spent together.  Mr. Quimby did give up smoking, Mrs. Quimby liked her new job, Beezus was a beautiful Mary in the Christmas Pageant and Ramona got to be a sheep with rabbit pajamas for her costume. 

This book, although set in a later time frame, reminded me of home.  Our family was large and with only my father's income we had to do with a lot less than most families did.  It made me feel nostalgic for those times in a way but certainly wouldn't want to go back to the time of wringer washers and hanging everything outside on a clothesline.  I loved my childhood but I've grown accustom to my luxuries.