The back jacket flap lists various episodes which happen to the girls and suggests readers will debate which is the funniest. Those friends I also shared memorable moments with, the same as Ellen and Austine who together share an adventure of trying to bring a mammoth old beet to school to impress a teacher, riding on horses for the first time without any adult supervision, and being in an almost disastrous school play together. Thankfully, over the years, best friends have come along with whom I was able to confide my deepest desires and fears. And, in my childhood days, I coveted their friendship. Immediately, the girls begin to hang out together at one another’s homes, playing dress up and baking cookies. Once Ellen discovers that she and Austine share the same secret, however, Ellen is glad to have a best friend. Now at first, Ellen thinks perhaps she does not even want a best friend. Sure, Ellen has lots of school friends, but she doesn’t have anyone who lives in the same neighborhood who can come over to play after school and on the weekends. When the girl next door moves away, Ellen also ends up without any close friends. I identified with Ellen, who does not have any brothers or sisters. Partly because of Ellen, during much of my childhood, I wanted a best friend. The book Ellen Tebbits forever shaped my life.

One of my favorite character creations of hers is Ellen Tebbits, an eight-year-old girl whose life is brightened by her friendship with newcomer Austine. Her realistic and sympathetic characters have been indelibly written on many hearts. Beverly Cleary is well-known for writing humorous and touching realistic chapter books.