book data
4,795 ratings,
3.82
average rating, 238 reviews
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published
1996
(first published 1965)
binding
Paperback
isbn
1563124092
description
[close] "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...more
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avg 3.82
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 1988
This, the underrated, overlooked and oft forgotten prequel to Runaway Ralph and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence, tells the tail (yes I did!) of one Ralph S. Mouse, a grease monkey of an entirely different genus (Mus). Praised in France for its controversial use of alcoholism in mice and free-spirited sexuality, the book received numerous awards including the prestigious Caldecott Medal. It was later the basis for the film Motorcycle Diaries, for which it was rumored method actor Gael...more
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Well this book took me a while to read, it's heavy reading, but I did get through it. This mouse get's a rippin' bike and proceeds to kick ass. Lot's of foolin' around. I do think he needed some sort of biker babe for the back seat, and maybe have some ties to a biker gang of woverines. The mouse didn't have any cool tatoos either. All in all a pretty good read.
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I just finished reading this to my class. Ralph is great. He's an underestimated juvenile mouse who gives a heroic and inspirational (for 4th graders, age or mentality) performance. It was fun to read it to the class because I could show off some motorcycle knowledge and make pbb, ppb, pbb sounds when Ralph rode around.
One drawback: most of the kids had seen the movie version so they already know what was going to happen. Damn Hollywood, stealing all the fun.
One drawback: most of the kids had seen the movie version so they already know what was going to happen. Damn Hollywood, stealing all the fun.
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Mrs. by:
My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Carsonrecommends it for: Anyone who likes mice or motorcycles.
I loved reading this book. It reminded me of when I read this book while student teaching to my fifth graders and we had a mouse named Ralph in the class.
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Read in May, 2009
It's been 15 years since I read this book, and I had forgotten what a treat it is. Beverly Cleary is still wonderful, even when details of her children's stories are dated. Here she describes Ralph's first bold, solo ride on the toy motorcycle he borrows from his human friend, Keith.
"Ralph had a scary feeling he was on the threshold of adventure.... Ralph controlled the trembling of his paws while he hesitated outside the door to consider the possibilities of the hall, which was carpet...more
"Ralph had a scary feeling he was on the threshold of adventure.... Ralph controlled the trembling of his paws while he hesitated outside the door to consider the possibilities of the hall, which was carpet...more
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Good lord, that was one of my most favoritest books as a lad, I actually remember my research to discover if a mouse really could drive a mini motorcycle. Okay, well maybe it went no further than me asking my mommy, but I was crushed nonetheless. My 7 year old self gives it 5 stars.
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recommends it for:
adults and kids
I think this is the best of the Beverly Cleary books, which is saying quite a bit, really. I re-read it as an adult and had just as much fun with it as I did when I was eight. This is a great book to read to kids, of any age.
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recommends it for:
any body
i love this book. my mom read it to me when i couldn't read. then in sceond or 3ed grade i read it and loved it. a funny story. a cute little mouse adventure.
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02/07/09
Ashley Ruby
is currently reading it
Read in February, 2009
recommended to Ashley by:
i found it on the shelfrecommends it for: 1st or 2nd graders
it was ok. i mean i am in middle school and it was kind of an easy book. i want challenging books not like this one was, it would be a great book for a jindergatdner to read or a first grader. they would love it. it sucks that his motorcycle breaks and he cant fix it but he can just get another one. i would rather live in the school because in the hotel their are bound to find him under the clock. and also who would want to live in a school with all the school books and stupid papers that will b...more
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Read in February, 2007
The mouse is so cute. I love this book. It has a couple of slightly scary moments, maybe not though, considering that I'm a chicken.
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Read in January, 1964
I have been fascinated with motorcycles since I was a small child, and I can point to several contributors early in my childhood that fed that fascination. The Mouse and the Motorcycle was one such. I absolutely loved the adventures and travels of Ralph the mouse, and his young friend, Keith. I spent many happy hours running around my house and yard, making motorcycle noises and imagining I was riding. Be careful exposing young children to Beverly Cleary's biker mouse...you may be creating a rea...more
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recommends it for:
fans of mice
Was this a rip-off of Stuart Little, or was Stuart Little a rip-off of this book?
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Second - Third
I read this book at the every end of the year with my second grade students. It was one of my most favorite books as a child. I can vividly remember my teacher reading it aloud and can recall how much I enjoyed the fantasy story. Searching my school library, I came upon this book and quickly thought that this would be a good read aloud for my own students. To my delight, my second graders expressed the same feelings of enjoyment that I had had as a child.
The story is about a litt...more
The story is about a litt...more
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I just finished reading this to Ethan. We read it one chapter at a time and he might be young for this type of reading, but I think he got something out of it. He remembered the story from day to day, although some of the plot was probably lost to him at less then 3 years old. It helped that there was a motorcycle and other cool vehicles and hopefully he'll pick it up and read it again when he's older.
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Read in December, 2008
My son certainly enjoyed this book, and got a kick out of the various adventures of Ralph and his motorcycle. It was even a mildly interesting story to read for me, as an adult. I found myself editing a bit on the fly, though: Ralph is needlessly pissy and stand-offish to Keith for no reason especially at the beginning of the book, and I found it did not detract from the narrative to just leave those parts out.
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Read in May, 2009
Re-read this with my son. We both enjoyed it. The language and descriptions are fantastic; perhaps a little old fashioned, but still charming and witty. We also rented the old DVD from the library and watched it after reading this. The kids were absolutely fascinated with the movie and cried when I had to take it back. I've never met a child who could resist this story.
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Read in May, 2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Oh, this was darling! Two things I loved best -- that mouse and child knew what the other was saying through a shared love of motorcycles, no other magic necessary, and that the vehicles moved by power of making the proper noises, again with no other explanation. (We had a GREAT time with the noises. They're almost as funny as Harry Hiccups.)
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My copy of this little gem is actually my uncle's from when he was a little kid. A Weekly Reader hardback, it doesn't have an ISBN. Story goes, he got upset when he found out Grandma gave it to me, but I'm NOT giving it back. I mean, WHO's the bookworm? and WHO's the Tech geek? I ASK you...
I'll get this edition on here at SOME point.
I'll get this edition on here at SOME point.
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This is a book about a mouse and a little boy who develop a friendship during their short time of being together. The little boy lets the mouse ride his toy motorcycle and they are instantly friends. They help each other out of some difficult situations and forgive each other for things that went wrong. It is a fun read for all ages.
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