Susan Kushner

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

Fictional character biography

Susan Kushner is a pretty girl with curly reddish-brown hair. Ramona first meets Susan in kindergarten, and they are 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 there names in Ms. Binney's class.

usan and Ramona

Ramona is fascinated by Susan's curls when she sees her on the first day of kindergarten. She longs to pull one lock 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 neurotic 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.