Beverly Cleary is an American author of children's and young adult fiction. She has written over 30 books, including the beloved Ramona Quimby series. Cleary was born in McMinnville, Oregon in 1916 and grew up in Portland. She attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a degree in English. Cleary's books have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold over 85 million copies worldwide. She has won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal for Ramona and Beezus in 1984 and the National Medal of Arts in 2003. Cleary is a beloved author who has brought joy to generations of readers.