The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Paperback)

~ (Author), Tracy Dockray (Illustrator) "KEITH, the boy in the rumpled shorts and shirt, did not know he was being watched as he entered room 215 of the Mountain View..." (more)
Key Phrases: little motorcycle, mouse nest, Uncle Lester, Mary Lou, Aunt Sissy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Pb-pb-b-b-b. Pb-pb-b-b-b." With these magic vocables, Ralph the mouse revs up a dream come true--his very own motorcycle. Living in a knothole in a hotel room, young Ralph has seen plenty of families come and go, some more generous with their crumbs than others. But when young Keith and his parents check in to the hotel, Ralph gets his first chance to check out. He has always fantasized about venturing beyond the second floor, maybe even outside. Curiosity overcomes caution, and Ralph must have a go at Keith's toy motorcycle. Soon, the headstrong mouse finds himself in a pickle, when all he wanted was to ride a motorcycle. Lucky for him, the boy understands how it is. When he discovers Ralph in his thwarted attempt to abscond with the toy bike, Keith generously encourages the rodent to ride. He even teaches him the simple trick of starting the motorcycle: "You have to make a noise... pb-pb-b-b-b." The subsequent situations Ralph motors into require quick thinking and grownup-sized courage. The team of Beverly Cleary and Louis Darling has been a great favorite for decades, introducing young chapter readers to Ramona, Beezus, Henry, and of course Ralph the mouse. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Review

"Cleary again successfully combines fantasy and reality."  --Booklist
"Cleary can't miss with this one!" --Publishers Weekly -- Review --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380709244
• ISBN-13: 978-0380709243
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,442 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #16 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Cleary, Beverly
  #38 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs & Squirrels > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story for "that sort of boy"...., December 20, 2006

By	J. Eoll "book worm" (Exeter, NH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Audio CD)

On a recent 24 hour road trip to Florida, my five year old son(and the two adults in the car!) became captivated by a very small mouse named Ralph. He sat spellbound in his booster seat from the moment the CD began and didn't utter a sound (except for a giggle every time he heard the P-b-b-b-b-b-b of the motorcycle) until the story came to an end.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a story about the friendship between a boy and a mouse... and the shiny red toy motorcycle that they share. Major themes include friendship, sharing, loyalty, selflessness, keeping your word, and following your dreams even if they are unconventional or unpopular.

It is a wonderful story; imaginative, funny, full of adventure, and it is cleverly written. It is a perfect car companion for young and old and I would recommend it highly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book from a 3rd Grader's Perspective, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

Th Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary, is the hilarious story of a mouse, a boy, and a toy motorcycle. This the most comical, action-packed story I have ever read. I think that Keith is a young, generous boy who gives Ralph his two most prized possessions, a toy motorcycle and a crash helmet. I love the way Mrs. Cleary portrays Ralph as a medium-sized mouse who is bold, funny, and adventurous. I love how Mrs. Cleary writes her books; when I read them, it seems as though they come alive! Her language is sparkling and well written. This book makes me want to read all of Beverly Cleary's books!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revieiw According to a 3rd Grader, March 2, 2000

By	Joshua Sullivan (Vicksburg, Mississippi) - See all my reviews

The Mouse and the Motorcycle, by Beverly Cleary, is thehilarious story of a mouse, a boy, and a motorcycle. This is the mostcomical, action-pack story I have ever read. I think Keith is ayoung, generous boy who gives Ralph his two most prized possessions, a toy motorcycle and a toy crash helmet. I love the way Mrs. Cleary portrays Ralph as a medium-sized mouse who is bold, funny, and adventurous. I love how Mrs. Cleary writes her books; when I read them, it seems as though they come alive! Her language is sparkling and well written. This book makes me want to read all of Beverly Cleary's books!