Ramona the Pest
Yearling 1968
Ramona
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- school life
- family
- friendship
- individuality
- growing up
- empathy
- perseverance
- humor and mischief
About this book
Eager to start kindergarten, spirited Ramona Quimby barrels into school with big feelings and even bigger ideas. From new classmates like Davy to the tempting bounce of Susan’s curls, Ramona learns what it means to follow rules, make friends, and be herself. Beverly Cleary’s warm humor and kid-true voice capture the challenges and triumphs of early school days. Perfect for independent readers in elementary grades and as a lively read-aloud, it celebrates curiosity, resilience, and growing up.
Setting: suburban Portland, Oregon; home and kindergarten classroom, late 1960s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ramona the Pest right for my child?
Yes — Ramona the Pest is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.1, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include school life, family, friendship.
How long does it take to read Ramona the Pest?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Ramona the Pest takes around 3.8h to finish. The book has 38,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Ramona the Pest have an AR quiz?
Yes — Ramona the Pest has an AR quiz available, worth 4 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Ramona the Pest?
Ramona the Pest has an AR reading level of 5.1, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.