The article reflects on childhood experiences through the lens of Beverly Cleary's character, Ramona. The author recalls her own children's challenges, particularly her youngest's struggle to adapt to school post-winter break. Despite her child's request to stay home and study Arabic, the author emphasizes the adult tendency to prioritize schedules over emotional needs. Growing up is complex, with young children navigating intense feelings and misunderstandings. Clear narratives focusing on simple yet relatable childhood moments, as depicted by Cleary, remind parents to appreciate the unique life journeys of their children.
Everyone in the room except Howie laughed. Ramona was startled, then embarrassed.
To our adult brains, staying home was a fruitless endeavor. Our non-Arabic-speaking household could offer nothing, and she was better off at school, immersed in the language.
Beverly Cleary flips the script, centering the world of Ramona and, occasionally, her sister Beezus. The stories are nothing epic.
Instead of seeing my life as folding around her world, I saw us as two people doing life in tandem, both occasionally inconvenienced by the other's demands.
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