In the opening sentence of the novel, Ramona Quimby is in trouble with her parents for some unnamed offense but hopes that they will forget, as she doesn’t want the first day of third grade ruined.

Ramona is excited because she gets to ride the bus to her new school, Cedarhurst Primary School, and her sister Beezus must walk to her school, Rosemont Junior High School. Even Mr. Quimby is off to school, as he is beginning college classes to become a teacher, though he will still work part-time at the frozen food warehouse for ShopRite Markets to subsidize the family income.

Mrs. Quimby packs lunches for each family member before leaving for her receptionist’s job. Ramona jokes with her father about doing homework and wonders: “And will Mother have to sign your progress reports?” (6) Mr. Quimby explains that he is studying to be an art teacher, but he must also take courses in child development. Ramona finds this strange since she thought all children needed to develop was to eat healthy food.

Before they leave, Mr. Quimby gives Beezus and Ramona new pink erasers to remind them to make good choices.