The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

A. Bibliography.

Cleary, Beverly. The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN# 0380709244.

B. Plot Summary

Ralph, a mouse who resides in a motel, is in awe when a child named Keith plays with a toy motorcycle. While the family is out, Ralph gets on the motorcycle to try to ride it and gets startled when the phone rings. Both Ralph and the motorcycle fall into the metal wastebasket and Ralph gets stuck. Keith comes home and finds his motorcycle in the trash along with Ralph. Keith is very excited. The boy and the mouse are able to communicate to one another because they both have a love for motorcycles. Ralph takes the motorcycle for a ride during the day without permission and gets stuck under the bed and a vaccuum cleaner after him. Ralph loses the motorcycle in a pile of sheets when he has to eat his way out. Keith gets sick and Ralph has to save the day while experiencing many problems and close calls with humans.

C. Awards

ALA Notable Children's Book

Association Young Reader's Choice Award

D. Connections

*other books by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona

Sister of the Bride

Runaway Ralph