Ralph S. Mouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 1st HarperTrophy edition (1993) |
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| Author | Beverly Cleary |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Tracy Dockray |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Mouse and the Motorcycle |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | HarperTrophy |
| Released | 1982 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 176 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-380-70957-0 |
| Preceded by | Runaway Ralph |
Ralph S. Mouse is a character appearing in three juvenile novels by Beverly Cleary. Ralph is a mouse with the ability to speak, but only to certain people, who tend to be loners.
The third book in The Mouse and the Motorcycle trilogy also has the same name.
[edit] Plot
Ralph has befriended a young boy named Ryan, the son of the inn's new maid. Ryan has given Ralph the full name of "Ralph S. Mouse," the middle initial standing for "Smart." (The name is not seen in the previous two books.) Meanwhile, Ralph becomes agitated at his family. Forced by his parents to let numerous younger siblings and cousins ride his motorcycle, which is beginning to wear out due to their careless treatment, he asks Ryan to take him to school, where he plans to hide and live out the rest of his life. Ralph is discovered by Ryan's classmates, who adopt him as a class pet and decide to see how smart he is by building a maze for him to run through. All this time Ryan is having difficulties with an aggressive boy from his class. The bully accidentally breaks Ralph's motorcycle, and Ralph blames Ryan and runs away to hide in the school. However, Ryan and his former adversary discover that they have much in common and become friends. Ryan reclaims Ralph and brings him home on the school bus on the day that his new friend comes with him to visit at the inn. The former bully atones for his destruction of Ralph's treasured motorcycle by giving him a toy car. Ralph discovers that like the motorcycle, he can move the car by making car engine noises as a boy would do while playing with it. Ralph further discovers that he can safely give his younger relatives rides in the car without worrying that they will be irresponsible with it (but only Ralph can drive the car). The story concludes by relating that as Ryan and his new friend continued to see each other, Ryan's mother became friends with his friend's father and they eventually marry, making the boys brothers.
[edit] Series
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1965)
- Runaway Ralph (1970)
- Ralph S. Mouse (1982)
[edit] Adaptation
Churchill Films produced an adaptation of The Mouse and the Motorcycle directed by Ron Underwood. The film was distributed by Strand VCI Entertainment/Strand Home Video.
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle at the Internet Movie Database (1986)
- Runaway Ralph at the Internet Movie Database (1988)
- Ralph S. Mouse at the Internet Movie Database (1990)
| Books by Beverly Cleary | ||
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Ramona Quimby series: Beezus and Ramona • Ramona the Pest • Ramona the Brave • Ramona and Her Father • Ramona and Her Mother • Ramona Quimby, Age 8 • Ramona Forever • Ramona's World Henry Huggins series: Henry Huggins • Henry and Beezus • Henry and Ribsy • Henry and the Paper Route • Henry and the Clubhouse • Ribsy The Mouse and the Motorcycle series: The Mouse and the Motorcycle • Runaway Ralph • Ralph S. Mouse Other books: Ellen Tebbits • Otis Spofford • Fifteen • The Luckiest Girl • Jean and Johnny • Sister of the Bride • Mitch and Amy • Socks • Dear Mr. Henshaw • Lucky Chuck • A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir • Muggie Maggie • Strider • Petey's Bedtime Story • My Own Two Feet • The Hullabaloo ABC |
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