Hollyrood-Fernwood K-8 school got a new name tonight: Portland School Board members voted to rename it after famous alumna Beverly Cleary, author of the "Ramona" and "Henry Huggins" children's books.

Hollyrood-Fernwood, which is now two buildings, will be called Beverly Cleary School. The buildings will be referred to as the Fernwood and Hollyrood campuses of Beverly Cleary School.

The name change was required after Hollyrood Elementary and Fernwood Middle schools merged this year. A naming committee was formed, and "Beverly Cleary" got the most votes in a community survey.

"It's truly an honor to recognize one of America's greatest authors" of children's literature, said board member Ruth Adkins.

Cleary, who now lives in a retirement community in California, attended Fernwood as a child. She set the "Ramona" books in the Northeast Portland neighborhood where she grew up.

-- Lisa Lednicer;
lisalednicer@news.oregonian.com