My Own Two Feet Beverly Cleary A Book Review

Title: My Own Two Feet: A Memoir
Author: Beverly Cleary
Publisher: Avon Camelot Books
Year Published: 1995

A Girl From Yamhill concludes by recounting Beverly Bunn’s final hours in Oregon. The chapter recreates the moments Beverly and her parents approach a Greyhound station.

Together, they solemnly wait for the arrival of a bus. During Beverly’s departure, Chester hugs her, but Mabel does not. When the bus appears Beverly boards ambivalently. As she settles into her seat, Beverly looks at her parents through the rear window and reflects on how tired they look. She feels guilty about leaving her parents behind. Unable to please Mabel her formidable mother Beverly laments

 Somehow, I felt I should have made mother happy. I ached to love and be loved by her.

Changing course, as the Greyhound driver circles a corner, Beverly is en route to California.

I felt the last passage of A Girl From Yamhill ended on a cliffhanger. Then I realized Beverly had penned a supplementary book entitled My Own Two Feet: A Memoir. I couldn’t wait to find out how Beverly’s narrative complemented A Girl From Yamhill, so I purchased a copy of My Own Two Feet.

Beverly set the stage for her second memoir where A Girl From Yamhill left off. She is seated facing the driver on a Greyhound charter. As the bus pulls forward Beverly presses her nose to the glass and tries to memorize all of her favorite places. While saying goodbye to Portland, Beverly reminisces about her past. She is traveling alone to her Aunt Vera’s house. Previously, Chester had arranged for his daughter to stay with her Aunt Vera so Beverly could enroll in junior college.

Arriving in California the warm climate along with the abundance of citrus trees appeal to Beverly’s senses. The landscape reminds Beverly of the picturesque postcards she admired as a young teenager.

Aunt Vera welcomes her niece and Beverly embraces her aunt’s kindness. Responsively, Beverly thrives at school. California treats her well. Correspondingly, Beverly becomes close to her new family. Beverly’s life takes on a happier rhythm. She dates, attends dances, makes friends, and bakes cakes every Sunday. Sadly, upon completion of her freshman year Beverly has to return to Portland. Once again, Beverly is regaled back to Oregon due to her grandmother’s frail health.

After spending freshman year in California Beverly resents living in Portland with Mabel her domineering mother. Beverly anxious to return to college devises a plan. She proposes renting an apartment in California with a colleague who resides nearby. Uncharistically, Mabel gradually approves of her daughter’s proposal.

Weeks later, Beverly finds herself in California, sharing an apartment with Norma. Even though Norma’s a P.E. major Beverly befriends her. When the colleagues end up sleeping on a convertible bed, Norma compromises by resting her feet on the cushions. In return, Beverly maintains their leaky refrigerator. The women spend evenings at home reviewing science assignments.

At bedtime, while Norma exercised her body, I exercised my mind on botany.

Norma and Beverly receive their caps and gowns. The roommates graduate together in June. Throughout the ceremony, Norma’s parents can be heard cheering for the young women from the rafters.

Enduring student life, Beverly sews, knits, and even works as a chambermaid. A junior at Berkeley, she also grapples with her demanding professors. Apart from her lessons, Beverly spends her time with an eccentric young woman, her roommate. Dorm life becomes trying for Beverly. However, Beverly meets Clarence Cleary who offers her companionship. Despite her diligence, Beverly fears she won’t have the necessary credits to complete her education. Incomprehensively, Beverly, an English major, earns an E- on her Literary final. Yet, in 1938, Beverly graduates with her classmates from Berkeley.

                                                                           Photo courtesy of Museums Victoria/Unsplash

Next, she enrolls at the University of Washington school of library and science. Beverly is not impressed by her professors at the University of Washington. At the end of the quarter, Miss Worden, her professor, summons Beverly to her office.

Miss Bunn, you have done excellent work in book selection, she emphasized but I am giving you a C because you looked bored.

Beverly forges ahead despite her teacher’s irrelevant comments.

With her librarian certification in hand, Beverly obtains a position in Yakima, Washington. Spending her days working as a children’s librarian, Beverly appreciates her young patrons.

As the years go by Beverly accepts when Clarence proposes marriage to her. Then Beverly decides to elope with him. The newlyweds relocate to Sacramento followed by a move to San Francisco. When Clarence receives a better job offer they head to Oakland.

Together they work for the military during World War II. At work, Beverly hears news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. From her apartment window, Beverly notices her Japanese neighbors as they quietly move to a relocation camp. On May 7th Germany surrenders. In August of 1945, the U.S. detontes atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively. Japan surrenders to the United States as the battle comes to an end.

In the aftermath of the war, the young couple purchase their first home. Sitting in her office, Beverly jots down her thoughts. She writes a story about a boy named Henry and a dog called Spare Ribs. Beverly’s short fiction propels her to become one of the best-loved children’s authors of all time.

My Own Two Feet provides Beverly a platform from which to expand upon thirty years of experience. Beverly warmly invites readers to accompany her as she enters adulthood. The young writer unlocks her diary adding relevance to her memoir. Utilizing her talented writing skills Beverly ably transforms fans across time and place. Her memoir is as rich as it is informative. I highly recommend My Own Two Feet. The book is an excellent choice for young adults and above.

About the author: Beverly Cleary is a renowned author of children’s literature. Her books have earned Beverly prestigious writing awards. In 1975 she won the *Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. Then in 1978, she garnered the Newbery Honor Book for Ramona and Her Father. During the year 1982 Beverly won the National Book Award for Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Again in 1984, she earned the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. Years later, in 2003 Beverly received the National Endowment of the Arts award for the National Medal of Arts.   

*The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award is now referenced as the Children’s Literature  Legacy Award.