Cleary, Beverly. The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Rayo (2003). ISBN-10: 0060000570

Plot Summary

In Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle Keith leaves his toy motorcycle on the bedside table at the hotel where his family is staying. When Ralph, a young mouse, scampers up the telephone cord, he tries the motorcycle on for size. Ralph soon discovers that the motorcycle is a great fit, so he hopps on and scoots the bike around by his feet. Then, a terrible thing happens—the telephone beside him rings! He crash lands into the trashcan! He fears that the maid will soon come to empty and burn the trash in an incinerator. Keith saves Ralph and a true friendship develops between the two of them.

Critical Evaluation

The Mouse and the Motorcycle is a lovely story about friendship. Keith and Ralph develop an unlikely bond as they share a tiny red motorcycle. Students (and adults) will enjoy the storyline, as it is full of humor and adventure.

Reader's Annotation

An unlikely friendship develops between Keith and a mouse called Ralph.

About the Author

Beverly Cleary was born Beverly Bunn on April 12, 1916. Her mother, Mable, was a school teacher, and her father, Chester, was a farmer. They lived in Yamhill, Oregon, on the family farm. Beverly was the only child of the family. Growing up, Beverly’s mother taught her that reading was an important and pleasant activity. She recalls, “My mother read aloud every evening to my father and me. She read many books. She really read quite a variety of things, and I loved those evenings. I wish more people read aloud.”

Beverly’s family moved from the farm to the city of Portland, Oregon, when she was just six. During Beverly’s first year in school year, she missed many days from school for chicken pox and small pox. As a result, she began to struggle with her reading so her teacher placed her in the lowest reading group. She remembers, “I was hopelessly lost in reading.” Later, Beverly’s second grade teacher helped her improve her reading skills, but Beverly did not enjoy reading outside of school. One day, her mother found a box of books in the Sunday school basement. One book was The Dutch Twins, and Beverly finally had a book she truly enjoyed reading.

When Beverly went to college, she worked as a children’s librarian. She noticed many boring children’s books there and thought to herself, “I can write a better story than that!” When she finally began to write, she knew she wanted to write about ordinary children doing ordinary things. Her first book was a humorous book about an average boy named Henry Huggins. Mrs. Cleary wrote several books about Henry and his dog Ribsy.

Another series of books by Beverly Cleary are about a girl named Ramona. Ramona began as an extra character in the Henry Huggins stories, but her publisher suggested she write a book just about Ramona. The Ramona books are probably Cleary’s most popular books. (I loved these books when I was growing up!) Mrs. Cleary has written many other books. Most are humorous, and all are about ordinary kids. Even though some of her books were written many years ago, they are still enjoyed by readers today because they are about the funny things that happen to regular children all the time.

Genre

Fiction (humor)
Fiction (action and adventure)

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas

Read aloud from the book:

That half ring was enough. It shattered Ralph’s nerves and terrified him so that he forgot all about steering. The momentum of the motorcycle carried him forward, over the edge of the table. Down, down through space tumbled Ralph with the motorcycle. . . He grabbed in vain at the air with both paws. There was nothing . . . to save him . . . That was the instant the motorcycle landed with a crash in the metal wastebasket. Ralph fell in a heap beside the motorcycle and lay still.

How will Ralph get out of the wastebasket before the maid comes to burn the trash in the incinerator? Find out how and enjoy many more adventures with Ralph by reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 8+

Reason for Book Selection

When I taught English Language Learners several years ago, they absolutely loved this book. What a timeless classic!