Ramona Quimby author Beverly Cleary dies at age 104

A legend in the world of Young Adult books has sadly passed away, as People reports that Beverly Cleary died on Thursday, March 25. The famed author was a remarkable 104 years old.

The influential writer is best known for her Ramona Quimby series, which children have been falling in love with since the first novel debuted back in 1955, titled Beezus and Ramona. Cleary went on to write seven more Ramona books, all of which seeing success. Of course, this iconic series isn’t the only one to Cleary’s name.

The late Oregon native also penned The Mouse and the Motorcycle children’s books, which I personally loved growing up, along with the Henry Huggins series. The list of her everlasting works really goes on and on. And so does her list of awards! Among her many accolades include the National Book Award for Children’s Books, the Children’s Literature Legacy Award, and the John Newbery Medal.

If you’re ever in need of some well-written, awesome children’s or YA books, I’d absolutely recommend you start with Beverly Cleary. And for those of you who have kids in the house who love movies, you can also check out Ramona and Beezus from 2010, which stars the wonderful actresses Selena Gomez and Joey King in the titular roles. It is an adaptation of the book series as a whole and is currently streaming on Disney Plus.

Beverly Cleary leaves behind her two children, Malcolm and Marianne. Her late husband, Clarence Cleary, unfortunately passed away in 2004.

Of Cleary’s death, HarperCollins released the following statement, per People:

"We are saddened by the passing of Beverly Cleary, one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time. Looking back, she’d often say, ‘I’ve had a lucky life,’ and generations of children count themselves lucky too—lucky to have the very real characters Beverly Cleary created, including Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse, as true friends who helped shape their growing-up years."

There’s no denying the mark Cleary made on the world of books. We’re thinking of her family at this time and will remember her forever.