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Beverly Cleary

ビバリー・クリアリー

Beverly Cleary

Aliases: Beverly Atlee Bunn
Pen Names:

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1916-04-12 （McMinnville, Oregon, U.S.）
Died
2021-03-25 （Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, U.S.） age 104
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Presbyterian
Residence History
Yamhill, Oregon (early childhood) → Portland, Oregon (raised) → Carmel Valley Village, California (later life)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's librarian
Active Years
1950-2005
Influenced
Laurie Halse Anderson, Judy Blume, Lauren Myracle, Jon Scieszka
Nominations
U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award

Education

University of California, Berkeley
College of Letters and Science / English
Degree: 学士（B.A.）
Period: 1936–1938
Year of Graduation: 1938
Country: United States
Earned a B.A. in English; one of the early residents of Stebbins Hall.
University of Washington, School of Librarianship
School of Librarianship / Library Science
Degree: 学士（Library Science）
Period: 1938–1939
Year of Graduation: 1939
Country: United States
Studied library science with the intention of becoming a children's librarian.

Awards

Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal
1975
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: 受賞
National Book Award (Children's fiction, paperback)
1981
Work: Ramona and Her Mother
Category: 児童向けフィクション（ペーパーバック）
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 受賞
Newbery Medal
1984
Work: Dear Mr. Henshaw
Organization: American Library Association
Result: 受賞
National Medal of Arts
2003
Organization: United States (awarded via National Endowment for the Arts)
Result: 受賞
Newbery Honor
1978
Work: Ramona and Her Father
Organization: American Library Association
Result: 名誉賞
Newbery Honor
1982
Work: Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Organization: American Library Association
Result: 名誉賞
Library of Congress Living Legend
2000
Organization: Library of Congress
Result: 選出
Regina Medal
1980
Organization: Catholic Library Association
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Henry Huggins

1950 Children's chapter book

The first book in a series about Henry Huggins, his dog Ribsy, and their neighborhood adventures.

Everyday lifeFriendshipChildhood perspective

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

1965 Children's fiction

A story about Ralph the mouse and his adventures with a toy motorcycle; first of the Ralph S. Mouse books.

AdventureFriendshipImagination
Adaptations
  • [TV/Film (adaptation)]

Dear Mr. Henshaw

1983 Children's fiction (middle grade)

Tells the story of a boy, Leigh Botts, through letters and journal entries; deals with growing up and family issues. Winner of the Newbery Medal.

Growing upFamilySelf-expression

Ramona and Her Mother

1979 Children's fiction (series)

A Ramona book focusing on family life and Ramona's relationship with her mother. Winner of the National Book Award (paperback category).

FamilyChildren's emotionsHumor

Ramona the Pest

1968 Children's fiction

A short book about young Ramona's curious antics and small adventures.

Early childhoodCuriosityFamily life

Ramona's World

1999 Children's fiction (series finale)

A later Ramona novel dealing with Ramona's maturing and family dynamics.

Growing upFamilyFriendship

Bibliography

  • Henry Huggins (1950)
  • Beezus and Ramona (1955)
  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1965)
  • Ramona the Pest (1968)
  • Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983)
  • Ramona's World (1999)
  • A Girl from Yamhill (memoir, 1988)
  • My Own Two Feet (memoir, 1995)

Adaptations

  • TV series 'Ramona' (1988)
  • Film 'Ramona and Beezus' (2010)
  • Film/TV adaptation of 'Runaway Ralph'

Translations of Works

  • Published in over 25 languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Humorous, realist depiction of everyday childhoodPlainspoken narrative close to children's perspective
Recurring Motifs
Everyday small eventsFamily relationshipsChildhood growth

Health

  • Chickenpox (and related childhood illnesses)
    Suffered childhood illnesses that affected early reading development; placed in a struggling readers group in first grade.
  • Tonsillitis
    Mentioned among childhood health issues.
  • Smallpox (historical mention)
    Recorded among childhood illnesses; details not provided.

Legacy

Beverly Cleary became a beloved children's literature icon for her humorous and honest portrayals of everyday childhood. She won numerous awards and is commemorated through libraries, schools, sculptures, and other public memorials.

Museums

  • Beverly Cleary Children's Library (dedicated children's room at Multnomah County Central Library) Portland, Oregon, U.S. Opened in 1997
  • Beverly Cleary Hall (residence hall, UC Berkeley) Berkeley, California, U.S.

Academic Societies

  • Association for Library Service to Children (listed as award-granting organization)

Archives

  • Multnomah County Library (materials related to Beverly Cleary)
  • University of Washington Information School (Beverly Cleary endowed chair / related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Statues of Ramona, Henry and Ribsy in Portland's Grant Park have become local cultural landmarks.
  • April 12 (her birthday) is recognized by HarperCollins as DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) Day.
  • Screen adaptations include the 1988 TV series 'Ramona' and the 2010 film 'Ramona and Beezus'.

Quotes

  • I've had an exceptionally happy career.
    Source: Los Angeles Times interview (2011) (2011)

Trivia

  • Born Beverly Atlee Bunn.
  • Eloped with husband Clarence Cleary in 1940 due to parental disapproval.
  • Approximately 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide.
  • A Portland school is named after her and statues of her characters stand in Grant Park.