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Beverly Cleary
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A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Beverly Cleary (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 475 ratings
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Told in her own words, A Girl from Yamhill is Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary’s heartfelt and relatable memoir—now with a beautifully redesigned cover!

Generations of children have read Beverly Cleary’s books. From Ramona Quimby to Henry Huggins, Ralph S. Mouse to Ellen Tebbits, she has created an evergreen body of work based on the humorous tales and heartfelt anxieties of middle graders.

But in A Girl from Yamhill, Beverly Cleary tells a more personal story—her story—of what adolescence was like. In warm but honest detail, Beverly describes life in Oregon during the Great Depression, including her difficulties in learning to read, and offers a slew of anecdotes that were, perhaps, the inspiration for some of her beloved stories.

For everyone who has enjoyed the pranks and schemes, embarrassing moments, and all of the other poignant and colorful images of childhood brought to life in Beverly Cleary’s books, here is the fascinating true story of the remarkable woman who created them.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    355 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    1040L
  6. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  7. Publication date
    October 6, 2009
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  12. ISBN-13
    978-0062453310
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's surprising to learn in this intimate book that Cleary, creator of Henry Huggins, Ramona and other irrepressible characters, was an unhappy child, always longing for affection and approval from her mother. Born in 1916 on an Oregon farm, she spent most of her youth in Portland, which she remembers in astonishing detail. She struggled with reading, rules for good behavior and many kinds of disillusionment. Cleary's humor is dry and effective, but underneath, the sadness persists. She often worried about her parents, whose prospects were tragically undermined by the Depression. But such longings and worries weren't discussed in those days. Partly to escape, she took pleasure in rebelsher classmate Ralph, who "modeled his gum into a small rhinoceros horn," and her Camp Fire Girls leader, Mrs. Growe, "a woman of courage who did not fuss about details." This is a slow, sometimes oblique story at the outset, but deeply moving by the end. A real gift to Cleary's many fans, young and old. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up The author's name rather than the title of her partial autobiography will catch the eyes of her army of loyal readers who grew up with Cleary's great books for children. Then, there are always those special few readers who dream of becoming writers themselves, and Cleary has some information on how this was for her and more about the hunger for reading that often starts writers on their way. It's bootless to compare and contrast autobiographical books, since each memorists' experiences and those they select to share are unique. Cleary's selection is acute, especially for some growing up pains and problems often scanted in books intended for younger readers, i.e., an uncle who was a potential danger to young girls and the fear and confusion his attentions caused; the possessive, devoted mother whose fierce love was never affectionate; the first, nearly unshakable boyfriend; and much more about each stage of growing up as an only child in Portland, Oregon, when the Great Depression moved in as the unseen, all-powerful villain in every working-class household. It ends with Cleary off to college in California without anything but determination and the ability to work hard and find her own way. As with her fiction, readers are likely to want her memoir to go on when they read her last page. Lillian N. Gerhardt , ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001AZRJHQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; Revised edition (October 6, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3818 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 355 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 475 ratings

About the author

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Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary
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Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12th, is celebrated across the country on D.E.A.R. Day, with activities related to the Drop Everything and Read Program. One of the most popular and honored authors of all time, Beverly Cleary has won the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. She makes her home in coastal California.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
475 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

S. Madan
5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't want it to end
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2006
Verified Purchase
I ordered Beverly Cleary's two autobiographies on Amazon, and recieved them last week. The first of the two is called, "A Girl From Yamhill" and the second is, "My Own Two Feet". Both are excellently written. The first is of her childhood until she goes off to college and the second is her college days and a few years beyond. She has a style of writing that makes you feel as though you have known her your whole life and are the dearest of friends. What amazed me the most about these books is how timeless they are. Even though she grew up during the depression and went to college before the advent of computers and the technology boom, it was eye opening to see that the human condition and experiences don't really change all that much. She is an excellent storyteller, and the words on the page lept into my mind's eye and I could see it unfold before as if I were watching it on a movie screen. I was sad to see the first book end, but glad that I had ordered the second book as well. Then when I finished the second book I found myself wishing that she had written another book to tell more of her life's stories. I finished reading them both within a couple of days and found myself doing something I have never done before. I immediately began to read them again ( I am currently half way through the first book). If you grew up loving her children's books as I did, then these are a must have.
6 people found this helpful
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Noni
5.0 out of 5 stars charming
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2022
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I really enjoyed this book, the first of two autobiographies from Beverly Cleary. Her writing is full of humor and a sense of humility and kindness. I wish i had known her, and i suppose after reading her children’s books as a child, i did. This was a chance to get to know her better, and i am so glad i did.
One person found this helpful
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Pete Springer
4.0 out of 5 stars Beverly Cleary—Life Before She Became Famous
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2022
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I initially had some trouble getting into the book, but I thought the second half of Beverly Cleary's memoir was fascinating. I had a great sense of the effect that The Great Depression had on families economically and emotionally. Cleary's environment was so challenging and tense that she preferred hanging out with others.

Cleary's mother was unaffectionate, narcissistic, and controlling and seemed jealous of her daughter's attention to her writing. The other part of the story I found fascinating was the author's high school years as she navigated the challenges of being a teenager. I felt frustrated with her when she continued to date a boy she had no interest in and began to dislike him.

The author pulls no punches, and I felt I was getting the straight scoop, even when events did not present her in the best light. This is a YA book, so I wouldn't buy it for children.
One person found this helpful
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Avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, warm, utterly readable memoir
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020
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I could hardly put down this vivid, succinct, warm, honest, utterly readable memoir chronicling children's book author Beverly Cleary's early life in Oregon. The story really moves along and omits dull descriptions. It left me wanting more. But I had already read her only other memoir, MY OWN TWO FEET, which actually takes off after this one and chronicles her young adulthood leading up to when when she publishes her first book; it may be even more riveting. I feel that I know and like her from reading these books. I only wish she had continued with memoirs throughout her life. and had written adult fiction. I did love her children's books as a child and now am considering rereading some.
2 people found this helpful
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V. L. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Oregon - Two Early Decades
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2008
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Beverly Cleary, an esteemed librarian and author of numerous children's books, shares her story about growing up in Yamhill, Oregon in the roaring twenties and depression thirties. She was born in 1916 and resides in California today. I quickly ordered the sequel, 'My Own Two Feet".

The book is a revealing glimpse at a sensitive and curious young girl, an only child, coping with early childhood and her school years in Oregon. The Williamette Valley and Portland, Oregon, are beautifully described as the area was in the early 20th. century.

Beverly shares family pictures, provides pioneer ancestor background, describes her schools and teachers, social life and interests in a delightfully easy to read manner. Her mother taught Beverly book appreciation, as well as music and reminded her always to "use her imagination"!

I love this woman for her keen insights and independence, and recommend her memoir (and all her children's books as well.) It is surprisingly different from other memoirs and holds your interest all the way thru, leaving you wanting to know more about her as she connects with the reader in a personal way.
4 people found this helpful
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Mary Moench
4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Autobiography
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
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Excellent book written by Beverly Cleary, beloved author from all our childhoods. So interesting to be able to view her life and remember the stories she would write.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Author from Childhood
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
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Beverly Cleary was a favorite with my sister and me as young readers, so it was interesting to read about her life. A few details made it into her books (an odd street name, for instance) but the bulk of the material was new. She had a rather difficult family life, but there was eventually a way forward, and she took it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

D and J
5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly Cleary
Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2020
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This book, like her writing for children, was shot through with truth; true emotions as well as true events. It was an utter delight to read. Upon finishing it I immediately purchased her follow up memoir.

I highly recommend this book.
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Meditator
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on April 9, 2018
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Good, worth it.
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