Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!

I'm thinking of the opening of "Ramona Quimby, Age 8." Ramona is writing--"slowly and carefully"--and pondering her nemesis, Yard Ape:

Well, he was a problem, but so far she had not let him get the best of her for keeps. Besides, although she might never admit it to anyone, she liked him--sort of. Maybe she enjoyed a challenge....

The story starts with ambivalence: Ramona finds Yard Ape exasperating, but on some level, she is also drawn to him.

Ambivalence is something Cleary returns to again and again. Scooter, bullying Henry but also supporting him. Beezus, finding her sister both intolerable and lovable. Henry, recognizing that he feels joy that he can keep Ribsy, but also acknowledging his sadness regarding the new kid, and the new kid's loss.

Cleary writes about complicated emotions, and she writes in a plainspoken way. As others have noted, she doesn't talk down to children.

More later -- and hats off to the birthday celebrant! With gratitude.

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