12+ Books for Readers Who Loved the Ramona Quimby Books

Henry Huggins Series by Beverly Cleary
In our family, the Beverly Cleary books definitely in our top 5 (especially on audio). We’ve read many of them together, and my girls love reading and listening on their own. And I just love Henry Huggins.

Clementine by Sara Penny Packer
Clementine is kind, artistic, and a little bit unpredictable. Many of her third grade adventures include helping her friends, but also innocently ending up in the principals office because of a misunderstanding.

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
Ella and I listened to one of these together in Ukraine when Ella was just past four, and she wasn’t really into it at the time, but this a couple years later she rediscovered the series and blew through all of these larger-than-life stories that Gooney Bird shares with her new second-grade classroom.

Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss
After 9 year old Amelia moves, her mom gives her a blank composition notebook to write all of her feelings down in and tells her it will help her feel better. Amelia DOES NOT like this idea on little bit!

B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood
In this sweet old-fashioned series, Betsy is scared to start first grade. But when she learns new things, makes new friends, and has more fun than she thought possible, school might end up being one of her favorite places. This was the first book where Ella was actively asking me to read one more chapter.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
Bean and Ivy didn’t mean to be friends – but then they accidentally become best friends and get into all sorts of fun adventures. Ella listened to the whole series last year and still checks out the books from the library when she sees them on the shelf.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
When we first tried this one as a read-aloud it somehow didn’t click. However, we picked it up again, listened to the audiobooks and our whole family was completely absorbed.

Matilda by Roald Dahl
Bart read this one aloud to Ella when she was about four and a half, and they both loved it. It was one of my childhood favorites too, but Bart had never read it, so it was fun to watch him experience it for the first time.

The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
This is the same author as Pippi Longstocking, but it doesn’t have that same wild exuberance – it’s funny and sweet, but much more toned down, and we loved every chapter.

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree by Ellen Potter
Piper Green lives on an island and takes a lobster boat to school every day. This delightful series includes everyday life with a touch of magic.

Violet Mackerel by Anna Branford
This beginning chapter book series has a very similar feel and charm to Beverly Cleary’s beloved Ramona books (think endearing mischief maker).

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