Beverly Cleary

  Beverly Cleary was born on April 12, 1916 in McMinnville, Oregon. She grew up in a small town city during the depression. Her teacher was mean in 1st grade so when she wasn't paying attention Beverly got punished. She did not like to read because the books were so boring.

In the seventh grade, Beverly wrote a report on her favorite literary character. The teacher liked her story and said, "When Beverly grows up she should write children's books." Beverly remembers that as giving her a direction in life. One of her first jobs was in the children's section of a library. The kids that came to the library said that they wanted books that were more fun to read. Beverly saw that the books being published for kids weren't that good and thought she could do better. Beverly wrote lots of book that children loved and won lots of awards for them. She wrote The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Ralph S Mouse, Ramona Forever. I think Beverly Cleary is an important woman in history because she wrote many books that kids liked to read.

1998, by Ginna, third grade

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