Genre: Realistic Fiction, Family, RomanceAges: 9 and up
Plot: Nine-year-old Ramona Quimby lives with her family: mother, father, big sister--Beezus, baby sister, and Aunt Bea, who visits often. Beezus is an excellent student, who is well liked by everyone, while Ramona struggles in school and is often ridiculed. Ramona and Beezus' life changes, when their father loses his job. Their mother begins working part time, while their dad is out of work, but they get to spend quality time. The movie has a double storyline, with Aunt Bea's life beginning to change. Hobart is Aunt Bea's first love, and when he moves back into his original home, Bea begins to fall in love all over again. Ramona has love issues too, as she develops a romance with her friend Henry. The family may have to move if their father cannot find a job.
Review: Trouble seems to follow Ramona everywhere she goes, which is probably why Beezes calls her a pest. The situations that Ramona gets herself into add humor to the storyline. Ramona is always herself, she never loses her identity in the movie, but she learns about life's changes in the movie. The most memorable part of the film is when Ramona tells her family that she is about to say a bad word. They all wait to listen, and instead she states: "guts!" This is a fun story about family dynamics. The father gave up his dreams to start a family, and Ramona and Beezus learn that their family might have to move, and leave loved ones. They learn about real life issues, divorce, death (the cat dies), the possibilities of becoming poor, wearing hand-me-downs, and going to a new school. This movie is great for tweens to watch and learn that life is filled with unexpected obstacles, and that loved ones can come and go (Aunt Bea gets married, even when she promised Ramona that she would be by her side forever). Tweens will learn to grow up and become independent thinkers. Another great scene is when Ramona highlights job announcement in the newspaper for her father to read during breakfast. The story is also a collection of childhood romances. Ramona (nine-years old) begins to like her friend Henry, and Beezus falls in love with her high school friend, and Aunt Bea falls in love all over again with her sweetheart.
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