In the second book of the trilogy, Runaway Ralph, Ralph decides he’s sick of scrounging for crumbs, and he’s had it with the scores of young siblings and cousins always begging for rides on his precious motorcycle. Through a series of humorous, kid-pleasing adventures, Ralph proves to Keith that he’s growing up, and Keith, before departing, kindly leaves his toy motorcycle in Ralph’s possession.īut that’s only the beginning of Ralph’s story.
When a young boy named Keith checks into Ralph’s room, they find that mice and boys who share a love of motorcycles naturally speak the same language and become friends. Ralph is a medium-sized mouse who lives in the Mountain View Inn. The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a marvelously imaginative story delivered with just the right blend of adventure and fun. Maybe I just love the idea of a young mouse who trills with the speed of a tiny red motorcycle trimmed with shiny chrome and dual exhausts. Maybe I remember being a bit irresponsible and wanting so much to grow up. There’s just something about that precocious little fella that gets me every time. As a kid, I dearly loved Ramona, but my all-time favorite Cleary character has to be Ralph S. In honor of Beverly Cleary, who passed this year at the age of 104, I’ve chosen three of her works for this week’s MMGM.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM) on his Always in the Middle website each week.
0 kommentar(er)
