Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

cake.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Mother said, smiling. “I’m sure she wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
    And sure enough, in a few minutes Ramona appeared from the bedroom and took her place at the table. “I can behave myself,” she said.
    â€œIt’s about time,” observed Father.
    Beezus watched Ramona eating her cold mashed potatoes and jelly and thought how much easier things would be now that she could look at her sister when she was exasperating and think, Ha-ha, Ramona, this is one of those times when I don’t have to love you.
    â€œGirls with birthdays don’t have to help clear the table,” said Mother, beginning to carry out the dishes.
    Beezus waited expectantly for the most important moment of the day. She heard her mother take the cake out of its box and strike a match to light the candles. “Oh,” she breathed happily, when Mother appeared in the doorway with the cake in her hands. Itwas the most beautiful cake she had ever seen—pink with a wreath of white roses made of icing, and ten pink candles that threw a soft glowing light on Mother’s face.

    â€œâ€˜Happy birthday to you,’” sang Mother and Father and Aunt Beatrice and Ramona.
    â€œâ€˜Happy birthday, dear Beezus, happy birthday to you.’”
    â€œMake a wish,” said Father.
    Beezus paused a minute. Then she closed her eyes and thought, I wish all my birthdays would turn out to be as wonderful as this one finally did. She opened her eyes and blew as hard as she could.
    â€œYour wish is granted!” cried Aunt Beatrice, smiling across the ten smoking candles.
    â€œâ€˜Happy birthday, dear Beezus, happy birthday to you!’” sang Ramona at the top of her voice.
    â€œAll right, Ramona,” said Mother with atouch of exasperation in her voice. “Once is enough.”
    But at that moment Beezus did not think her little sister was exasperating at all.

About the Author
    BEVERLY CLEARY is one of America’s most popular authors. Born in McMinnville, Oregon, she lived on a farm in Yamhill until she was six and then moved to Portland. After college, as the children’s librarian in Yakima, Washington, she was challenged to find stories for non-readers. She wrote her first book, HENRY HUGGINS , in response to a boy’s question, “Where are the books about kids like us?”

    Mrs. Cleary’s books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented in recognition of her lasting contribution to children’s literature. Her DEAR MR. HENSHAW was awarded the 1984 John Newbery Medal, and both RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8 and RAMONA AND HER FATHER have been named Newbery Honor Books. In addition, her books have won more than thirty-five statewide awards based on the votes of her young readers. Her characters, including Henry Huggins, Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford, and Beezus and Ramona Quimby, as well as Ribsy, Socks, and Ralph S. Mouse, have delighted children for generations. Mrs. Cleary lives in coastal California.

    Visit Ramona Quimby and all of her friends in The World of Beverly Cleary at www.beverlycleary.com.

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Enjoy all of
Beverly Cleary’s books
    FEATURING
RAMONA QUIMBY :
    Beezus and Ramona
    Ramona the Pest
    Ramona the Brave
    Ramona and Her Father
    Ramona and Her Mother
    Ramona Quimby, Age 8
    Ramona Forever
    Ramona’s World
    FEATURING
HENRY HUGGINS :
    Henry Huggins
    Henry and Beezus
    Henry and Ribsy
    Henry and the Paper Route
    Henry and the Clubhouse
    Ribsy
    FEATURING
RALPH MOUSE :
    The Mouse and the Motorcycle
    Runaway Ralph
    Ralph S. Mouse
    MORE GREAT FICTION
BY BEVERLY CLEARY :
    Ellen Tebbits
    Otis Spofford
    Fifteen
    The Luckiest Girl
    Jean and Johnny
    Emily’s Runaway Imagination
    Sister of the Bride
    Mitch and Amy
    Socks
    Dear Mr.