Beverly Cleary

A reckless young mouse named Ralph makes friends with a boy in room 215 of the Mountain View Inn and discovers the joys of motorcycling.

Six-year-old Ramona tries to cope with an unsympathetic first-grade teacher.

Ramona at 7 1/2 sometimes feels discriminated against by being the youngest in the family.

The family routine is upset during Ramona's year in second grade when her father unexpectedly loses his job.

Ralph runs away looking for freedom but winds up a prisoner at a summer camp.

Ramona's year in third grade is highlighted by the arrival of Howie's rich uncle, 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.

Ellen's life is free of problems, except for such things as being teased by Otis Spofford and having to wear woolen underwear.

Henry Huggins makes a deal with his father--if Henry can keep his dog Ribsy out of trouble for a month, he can go fishing with his father. Ribsy does his best to make Henry lose the deal.

Maggie resists learning cursive writing in the third grade, until she discovers that knowing how to read and write cursive promises to open up an entirely new world of knowledge for her.