Klickitat Street

Walk a few blocks up the hill and you'll find yourself standing underneath the sign to Klickitat Street. Isn't it great to see it up close and in person? While Beverly borrowed characters from kids she knew on Hancock Street, she changed the name of the neighborhood to Klickitat because she liked the sound of it better. She thought it sounded like knitting needles clicking together.

If this is the "real" Klickitat Street, you might find yourself wondering where Ramona really lived. Did she live on the leafy streets of Hancock or enjoy the view from Klickitat? Because Beverly lived in both the Hancock and Klickitat neighborhoods, you might say that Ramona lived in both too. Wherever mischevious, creative, sensitive, imaginative Beverly was, Ramona is sure to be found as well.

Maybe you even live a little bit on Klickitat Street yourself! Maybe you have thrown papers with Henry or played chess with Beezus or made a great big noisy fuss with Ramona. That is the best part about reading and especially about reading Beverly Cleary's books. You would have fit right in with the kids on Hancock Street and I'm sure Beverly would have wanted you there.

Thanks for coming along today! Enjoy a beautiful walk back along 38th Ave to your parking spot or hop in your car for your drive home. Maybe you can talk your grownups into a Western at the Hollywood! Especially if it's a school night...

“Quite often somebody will say, 'What year do your books take place?' and the only answer I can give is, in childhood.”

- Beverly Cleary