Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth grade. He was a lively person. My best friend appears in assorted books in various disguises.

In June 2008 the two-campus K–8 school of the same neighborhood Hollyrood-Fernwood was officially renamed Beverly Cleary School. See also. Educated at colleges in California and Washington Beverly Cleary worked as a librarian before writing children's books.

Some of her best-known characters are Henry Huggins Ribsy Beatrice ("Beezus") Quimby her sister Ramona and Ralph S. She has won many literary awards including the 1984 Newbery Medal for Dear Mr.