"Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book)
Published by Naitik Mehta · April 1, 2026
Stuck on the clue "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) from the New York Times Daily for April 1, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
"Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) (4)
Answer
The answer to "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) is Pest (4 letters).
Why does Pest fit this clue?
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue where "Ramona the ___" points to PEST, completing the title of Beverly Cleary's beloved children's book. A pest is someone who causes annoyance or trouble, especially through persistent bothersome behavior. In Cleary's 1968 novel, young Ramona Quimby earns this label through her mischievous antics and ability to disrupt situations, though she's portrayed with warmth and understanding rather than genuine malice. The book launched Ramona as one of children's literature's most enduring characters, spawning an entire series about her adventures.
What does "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
Ramona
proper noun
•fictional character created by Beverly Cleary, a spirited young girl featured in a series of children's books
Beverly
proper noun
•first name of Beverly Cleary, acclaimed American children's author
Cleary
proper noun
•surname of Beverly Cleary, writer known for realistic children's fiction including the Ramona series
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 64-across in the New York Times Daily on April 1, 2026, by Jess Shulman and Amie Walker, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Apr 1, 2026
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What does Pest mean?
noun
•A plague, pestilence, epidemic
•Any destructive insect or caterpillar that attacks crops or livestock; an agricultural pest.
Origin of the word Pest
•origin: Latin 'pestis' meaning plague or deadly disease
•period: 16th century
The word originally referred specifically to bubonic plague before broadening to mean any troublesome person or thing.
How to use Pest in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Pest.
•“In Beverly Cleary's beloved children's book, Ramona earns the nickname 'the Pest' because of her mischievous behavior and tendency to annoy her older sister Beezus.”
•“The little boy became such a pest during the movie, constantly kicking the seat in front of him and asking loud questions.”
•“Aphids can be a real pest in the garden, destroying plants by sucking the sap from their leaves.”
What are other crossword clues for Pest?
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Apr 1, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for April 1, 2026 was published by Jess Shulman and Amie Walker and has 76 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book)
- What is the answer to "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book)?
- The answer is Pest (4 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on April 1, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to "Ramona the ___" (Beverly Cleary book) have?
- The answer has 4 letters: Pest.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Daily — Apr 1, 2026
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