Ramona the Pest
Yearling 1968
Ramona
Challenging read for K–3rd grade
Reading level 5.1 (5th grade) is above the ages 5–9 interest range
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Genre
Themes
- growing up
- school life
- family
- friendship
- individuality
- empathy
- self-control
- humor in everyday life
About this book
Ramona can’t wait to start kindergarten, where every day brings new rules to test and new people to meet. From her fascination with Davy to the irresistible bounce of Susan’s curls, Ramona’s big feelings and funny mishaps capture the real ups and downs of early school life. Beverly Cleary’s warm, honest storytelling makes young readers feel seen while giving parents a gentle, humorous look at childhood. Perfect for elementary readers ready for longer chapter books with lots of heart.
Setting: Klickitat Street in Portland, Oregon; kindergarten and home, late 1960s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ramona the Pest right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Ramona the Pest. The reading level is AR 5.1, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include growing up, school life, family.
How long does it take to read Ramona the Pest?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Ramona the Pest takes around 2.9h to finish. The book has 29,000 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 Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.