Happy birthday, Beverly Cleary

It is the birthday of children's writer Beverly Cleary (1916), whose first book, Henry Huggins (1950), has been called the modern Tom Sawyer. The story concerns a boy and the dog he finds on a trip to the drug store on Klickitat Street in Portland Oregon. Cleary is also known for her character Ramona Quimby, a mischievous little girl who invites her whole preschool class over to her house without telling her family. The first Ramona book was Beezus and Ramona (1955). Cleary has written more than 30 books for children and young adults. Her many awards include the Newbery Medal and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. Sculptures of her characters, including Henry Huggins, are displayed in Portland's Grant Park.