Susan Kushner

Susan Kushner is a fictional character in the Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary.

Fictional character biography

Susan Kushner is a little girl with long blonde ringlets. Ramona first meets Susan in preschool, in Beezus and Ramona, and when Ramona starts kindergarten and when she first pulls her hair, they become rivals through much of the series. In Ramona the Pest, Susan's S's look like worms crawling, as many students with S's in their names in Ms. Binney's class.

Relationship between Susan and Ramona

Susan was one of the many preschoolers invited to Ramona's party in the first book, who wanted to play with the vacuum cleaner after Howie played the trumpet in Howie and Ramona's parade. When Susan was given applesauce and Fig Newtons, she, along with Howie and all the others, refuse to eat them because of Ramona telling the partygoers that there are worms inside the snack pastries when the filling actually consists of figs, causing the children to scream in disgust and rebel against Ramona before their parents came to the Quimby household to pick them up.

Ramona is fascinated by Susan's ringlets when she sees her on the first day of kindergarten. She longs to pull one glowing tress and see if it "boings." During a game on the first day, Ramona runs by Susan and can't resist. She pulls one of Susan's curls and doesn't let go fast enough. She ends up pulling Susan's hair and gets in trouble.

In first grade, Susan copies Ramona's paper bag owl. The teacher holds up Susan's owl to show the class how pleased she is with her work. Ramona is so angry with Susan for copying and getting all the credit that she crumples up Susan's owl. She gets in trouble for that, too, and is forced to apologize to Susan in front of the entire class the following day.

Later, it becomes difficult for Ramona because her parents become friends with Susan's parents. They are expected to be nice to each other. It is ultimately revealed that Susan is somewhat insecure and has less self-esteem than is assumed by the end of Ramona's World, and a lot of high expectations placed on her (mainly by her parents), which further depresses her. At her 10th birthday celebration, Ramona (and her best friend by that point, Daisy), realize the extent of this, and determine that helping Susan (who is also present, but not enjoying herself) realize that they can all be friends, despite their differences, is the best approach.

Film

In Ramona and Beezus, Susan is portrayed by Sierra McCormick and seen as more of a bully than anywhere else in the series.