Beverly Cleary

Ramona's year in third grade is highlighted by the arrival of Howie's rich Uncle Hobart, a change in her after-school situation, a surprise wedding, a death and a new arrival in the family, and her father's getting a job.

Henry Huggins picks up a stray dog, names him Ribsy and sets out on numerous adventures with him, including breeding hundreds of fish and collecting over a thousand worms.

In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world.

When Ralph and his pesky cousins accidentally make a mess at the Mountain View Inn, Ralph decides that he'd better take his motorcycle and leave. He persuade his young pal Ryan to take him to school, where Ralph is an instant hit with Ryan's classmates. But Ralph doesn't like being told what to do. Worse than that, his precious motorcycle gets broken.

In a series of diary entries, Leigh tells how he comes to terms with his parents' divorce, acquires joint custody of an abandoned dog, and joins the track team at school.

"Ralph is not like the other mice at the Mountain View Inn. He is always looking for adventure. So when a young guest named Keith arrives with a shiny miniature motorcycle, it's Ralph's lucky day. Right away, Ralph knows that the motorcycle is special--made to be ridden by an adventurous mouse. And once a mouse can ride a motorcycle...almost anything can happen!"--Page 4 of cover.

Third grader Ellen Tebbits becomes best friends with newcomer Austine Allen, who helps her weather the taunts of Otis Spofford and the trials of woolen underwear, but Ellen learns it is difficult to apologize even to a best friend after she says something that hurts Austine's feelings.

Follows the adventures of nine-year-old Ramona at home with big sister Beezus and baby sister Roberta and at school, in fourth grade, in Mrs. Meacham's class.

Ramona likes that shes old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape.

For the well-meaning Henry Huggins, nothing ever works out quite as planned including getting the bike of his dreams. Luckily his pal Beezus Quimby is there to help! Henry's attempts at raising money for his bike fund keep falling flat. Selling bubble gum on the playground gets him in trouble with his teacher, and then Ribsy's nose for mischief almost ruins Henry s paper route. Even pesky little Ramona Quimby manages to get in the way of Henry's chance...