Beverly Cleary author page

Beverly Cleary Biography

Beverly Cleary, born on April 12, 1916, in McMinnville, Oregon, is an acclaimed American author of children’s books. She grew up on a farm in Yamhill, Oregon, where her love for reading and storytelling began. Cleary attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, which later inspired her to write about the experiences of children in her books.

After completing her education, Cleary worked as a librarian, where she observed the lack of engaging books for children. This motivated her to start writing stories that children could relate to. In 1950, Cleary published her first book, “Henry Huggins,” which introduced the beloved character Henry and his dog, Ribsy. The book was an instant success and marked the beginning of Cleary’s prolific writing career.

Throughout her career, Cleary wrote numerous books that resonated with children and captured their everyday experiences. Her characters, such as Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby, became household names and continue to be beloved by readers of all ages.

Cleary’s books have had a significant impact on children’s literature. Her realistic portrayal of children’s lives and relatable characters have made her stories timeless classics. Cleary’s books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.

One of Cleary’s most notable achievements is receiving the Newbery Medal in 1984 for her book “Dear Mr. Henshaw.” This prestigious award recognizes outstanding contributions to children’s literature and solidified Cleary’s place as one of the most influential authors in the genre.

• Newbery Medal (1984) for “Dear Mr. Henshaw”
• Newbery Honor (1978) for “Ramona and Her Father”
• Newbery Honor (1982) for “Ramona Quimby, Age 8”
• Newbery Honor (1983) for “Ramona Forever”
• Newbery Honor (1984) for “Ramona Quimby, Age 8”

After a successful writing career spanning several decades, Cleary retired from writing in 1999. She currently resides in Carmel, California, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.