The summer before first grade sure isn't an easy one for Ramona. She's worried about starting school and it doesn't help that so many other changes are going on in the Quimby house. For starters, Ramona is afraid to sleep in the scary darkness of her new bedroom; she's convinced something is hiding under the bed. To make matters worse, Mrs. Quimby gets a job, leaving her little time to bake cookies and spend time with Ramona. And when Ramona finally takes her place in her new classroom, she realizes that first grade is not for cowards.