41 pages 1 hour read

Beverly Cleary

Ramona Forever

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1984

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Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 4 Summary: “Picky-picky”

Ramona is still upset about her feud with Beezus, and she walks home sadly by herself. Her sister comes home later and still does not speak to Ramona. Ramona is very surprised when she then hears Beezus calling from the basement. Ramona rushes downstairs to find the family cat, Picky-picky, lying dead in his bed. The girls are very upset but do not want their mother to find Picky-picky dead, since they know she is supposed to avoid stress. They decide to quickly hold a funeral for Picky-picky and bury him in the backyard. Even though Ramona is sad about her cat, she is relieved that Beezus is speaking to her again. Ramona says a prayer for Picky-picky, and the girls reflect on his life. Ramona apologizes to Beezus for calling her “pizzaface,” and Beezus forgives her. Ramona makes a tombstone for Picky-picky with crayons and a wooden board.

When their parents arrive home, the girls fret about how to tell them about the cat’s death. When mom and dad notice Beezus’s blisters, Ramona reveals that she got them from digging a grave for the cat. Their parents are moved that they took care of the cat themselves, and their mom thanks them and tells them she is proud.