Beverly Cleary: “Childhood as she had known it”

Class Description

This eight-week seminar delves into the works of Beverly Cleary, examining her contributions to children's and young adult literature, her dedication to libraries and literacy, and her decades-spanning career. We will analyze her enduring characters, themes, and narrative techniques, and consider her place within the broader literary landscape.

Dawn Sardella-Ayres received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2016. She was the L.M. Montgomery Institute Research Associate for 2023-2024, and specializes in girls’ literature and the girls’ Bildungsroman/Kunstlerroman. Her publications include articles on Alcott, Montgomery, Johnston, and Wilder.

All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.

What to Expect

Format: Virtual

Class Capacity: 10

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged

Materials List

Required

• Ebook bundle that includes the following books—$15 fee collected during registration. (You may also acquire physical copies yourself, but we are unable to stock them in the bookstore.)
  • Beverly Cleary, Henry Huggins, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709324
  • Beverly Cleary, Henry and Beezus, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709331
  • Beverly Cleary, Henry and Ribsy, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990 :978-0380709348
  • Beverly Cleary, Dear Mr. Henshaw, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709379
  • Beverly Cleary, Strider, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1992: 978-0380711563
  • Beverly Cleary, Ellen Tebbits, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709362
  • Beverly Cleary, Otis Spofford, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709393
  • Beverly Cleary, Beezus and Ramona, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709355
  • Beverly Cleary, Ramona the Pest, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709409
  • Beverly Cleary, Ramona the Brave, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380711549
  • Beverly Cleary, Ramona and Her Father, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709416
  • Beverly Cleary, Socks, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1992: 978-0380711570
  • Beverly Cleary, Fifteen, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380709386
  • Beverly Cleary, Ramona Forever, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1992: 978-0380711556
  • Beverly Cleary, A Girl from Yamhill, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1990: 978-0380712126
  • Beverly Cleary, My Own Two Feet, Avon Camelot / HarperCollins, 1996: 978-0380716872

First Reading

• Please read Henry Huggins, Henry and Beezus, and Henry and Ribsy
• Suggested reading: Cleary's autobiographies

A Brief Syllabus

1. The Beginnings: Henry Huggins, Henry and Beezus, Henry and Ribsy
2. Cleary’s Künstlerroman: Dear Mr. Henshaw and Strider, Emily’s Runaway Imagination
3. Two Sides of a Story: Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford
4. Ramona’s Origins: Beezus and Ramona, Ramona the Pest, Ramona the Brave
5. Gen X: Ramona and Her Father, Ramona and Her Mother, Ramona Quimby, Age 8
6. Animal Stories: Socks, Ralph S. Mouse series (Ralph the Mouse, Runaway Ralph, Ralph S Mouse), Risby (revisited)
7. “Malt Shop Books” YAs: Fifteen, Luckiest Girl, Jean and Johnny, Sister of the Bride
8. A Girl from Yamhill and My Own Two Feet; Ramona Forever

Cost and Registration

8 Sessions, $300 ($270 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($300), Community Supported ($280), and Sponsor ($320). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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