Positivity
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is a children's novel, and like many books of the genre it is full of positivity. Ramona is a very energetic and lively kid, and seldom acts let down. Even in situations that are upsetting to her, she quickly gets over it. For instance, when Yard Ape takes her pink eraser, she gets mad at him at first, but soon manages to get it back and they becomes friends, instantly forgetting the anger she had had only seconds ago. Every unhappy instance in the novel is instantly followed by something happier. For example, the instance whereRamona breaks a raw egg on her head and her subsequent anger at her mother is followed by the interesting and humorous cooking scene Ramona enjoys with her sister. The story itself ends positively, with them going to a hotel to get over the rainy Sunday, where their bills are paid by a stranger who had felt them to be a good family, wherein they realize how lucky they are to have each other.
Facing troubles
Ramona often gets into troubles and hurtful and shameful instances. But when she decides to start facing them, they don't turn out to be as hard as she had expected. This can be seen when she loses her eraser to the Yard Ape, or when she breaks an egg on her head, or throws up in class, or when she fears that her teacher thinks of her as a nuisance and a show off,and even in the case of Willy Jean. All her troubles get solved easily when she starts thinking about how to solve it, with a level head.
Family problems from a child's perspective
The novel, which is meant for children of ages 7 to 12, deals with a variety of problems a family could face. Ramona's father is studying now, meaning that they don't have as much income as they used to. And this financial trouble extends itself into many other parts of their lives. The writer remarks about how scarce gifts were in the household, that Ramona treasures the pink eraser she is given by her father. Also, the family tries to cut down expenses, including meat, which they replace with tongue.
The issue of divorce is also distantly referred to in the novel, and the anxiety and emotional pain it could cause a child. When at an instance, Mr. Quimby tells Mrs. Quimby that he would love her even when she was old and gray, Ramona is relieved because she had many friends whose parents stopped loving each other.
