It is common for children to try out adult roles as a part of their maturation process. Find three examples of children in the novel attempting to be adults. What are the results of their trial runs of adulthood? How do these moments help develop the character?

Ramona’s father is mostly absent from the narrative, aside from a few passing mentions. Is this characteristic of the time in which the novel was written? What is the effect of the novel being mostly dominated by female characters? Analyze the fact that Beezus’s best friend is a boy.

The term “middle grade” is not a distinct genre of literature but an age-based categorization that can include many genres, like fantasy and historical fiction. It is a label to help parents and kids choose age-appropriate books. What elements of the novel make it ideal for a reader between the ages of 8 and 12? Conversely, how does Cleary make this story appealing to all ages? How does a reader engage with the novel differently as an adult?