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Unpredictable. Exasperating. Boisterous and independent. That's Ramona Quimby for you. Always aggravating her older sister, Beezus, constantly getting into trouble and sometimes "making a big, noisy fuss" when things don't go her way. As narrator, Beezus (Beatrice Quimby) introduces the Quimby family and friends and thereby sets the scene for the collection of vignettes that trace Ramona's tumultuous passage through third grade and through her family relationships. At school, she throws a tantrum when provoked by a classmate and is sent home in disgrace. The teacher's wrath, an important family wedding, persistent sibling bickering and Mr. Quimby's attempts to give up smoking are part of the fabric that shape a humorous, loving family portrait. The characters and the material, adapted by Obie Award-winning playwright Len Jenkin, are as "today" as the morning newspaper. The problems facing the Quimbys, a middle-class Oregon family, are problems common to most families, and the family's togetherness in tackling the sacrifices and adjustments required when the father is unexpectedly fired from his job is a clear statement of traditional family values. Along with the discovery that life is not always fair, eventually Ramona and Beezus come to realize that sisters may not always agree, but they can be good to have around.

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Beverly Cleary, a former children's librarian, has been asked by children where she finds her ideas. "From my own experience," she replies, "and from the world around me." Her books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the 1984 John Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in 1983. Ramona and Her Father andRamona Quimby, Age 8, were named 1978 and 1982 Newbery Honor Books, respectively. Among Cleary's other awards are the American Library Association's 1975 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the Catholic Library Association's 1980 Regina Medal, and the University of Southern Mississippi's 1982 Silver Medallion, all presented in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. In addition, Cleary was the 1984 United States author nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, a prestigious international award. Equally important are the more than 35 statewide awards her books have received based on the direct votes of her young readers. The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden for Children, featuring bronze statues of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins and Ribsy, is open in Portland, Oregon. Cleary's books appear in over 20 countries in 14 languages.

Len Jenkin is a playwright, screenwriter and director. His plays include Dark Ride, Pilgrims of the Night, My Uncle Sam, Careless Love, Limbo Tales, Poor Folk's Pleasure, Like I Say and The Dream Express and his adaptations of Ramona Quimby and The Invisible Man (Dramatic Publishing). His works have been produced throughout the United States as well as in England, Germany and Japan. Jenkin also writes for television and the print media. His novel, New Jerusalem, was published by Sun and Moon Press, and his children's book, The Secret Life of Billie's Uncle Myron was published by Henry Holt & Co. He has been the recipient of many honors and awards including three Obie Awards for directing and playwriting, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a nomination for an Emmy Award, and four National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. He is currently a professor in the Dramatic Writing Program, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.