RIP Beverly Cleary.

She was an amazing author whose works have had a profound impact on countless readers, myself included.

Her stories were filled with relatable characters and engaging plots that captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike.

Thank you, Beverly Cleary, for inspiring me to write. Your words have shown me the power of storytelling and the importance of creating characters that people can connect with.

Your legacy will live on through the many books you have written and the countless lives you have touched.

Rest in peace, dear Beverly Cleary. You will be greatly missed.

The book was very charming.

Primarily, it consists of the works of Mrs. Clarey and is enjoyable.

The book was full of events that shocked you one after another, precisely at the moment when you felt you were about to take a sigh of relief.

It was as if the author was constantly playing tricks on the readers, leading them into a maze of emotions and surprises.

Each turn of the page brought a new adventure and a new revelation, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.

The story was so engaging that it was difficult to put the book down once you started reading it.

Overall, it was a wonderful read that left a lasting impression on the reader's mind.

Oh dear sweet Beverly Cleary.

She had an incredibly long and fulfilling life, living to be 104 years old.

Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to writing books that had the power to make millions of children fall in love with reading.

As a kid, I was completely taken with Henry Huggins.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on all of his books and devoured them as soon as I could.

I also read several of the Ramona books.

Renegade Ralph the mouse came along later, after I had moved on to more mature reading material.

But I never forgot the pleasant and warm feelings that her books always gave me.

And I was so happy to find that same feeling again in this lovely novel for kids.

Ralph the mouse has a little motorcycle and a cute little helmet (made out of the top half of a ping pong ball) that he seems to have acquired in the first novel of the series.

In this particular story, he leaves the comfort of his home and embarks on an exciting adventure at a summer camp for kids.

I really identified with young Ralph.

At one point in the story, he has a conversation with an old caretaker who is the kind of person who has a special gift for talking to animals and understanding them.

I wholeheartedly believed that such a thing was possible and accepted it as a normal part of the wonderful world that Ms. Cleary had created.

It brought me an extra moment of happiness as I believed in the magic of her stories all over again.

Big thumbs up! Go Ralph!

Ralph is a cute character, but he's also kind of forgettable.

At the beginning, he is set up to have a grand adventure, which makes readers excited. However, the adventure that Cleary gives him is rather tepid and doesn't quite live up to the initial promise.

Moreover, the book just sort of ends with the supposition that everything will work out just fine. This lack of finality leaves readers with a bit of a letdown.

Despite these flaws, I'm still moderately interested in checking out the rest of the series. I want to see how the other books measure up and, most importantly, discover how Ralph ended up with a motorcycle in the first place. Maybe the subsequent books will offer more excitement and a more satisfying conclusion for Ralph's story.

I'm curious to see if the author can redeem the series and make Ralph a more memorable and engaging character in the end.

Cleary is truly a master when it comes to writing about children and creating works specifically for them. Right from page 1, she showcases her remarkable ability to establish the characters vividly and lay a solid foundation for both character and plot development. The way she crafts the story is so engaging that we find ourselves hanging onto every single word. We can't help but laugh out loud at the antics of Ralph and cheer for him as he navigates through various situations. This book is not just a great read for children but also for the entire family. It has the power to bring everyone together, sharing in the joy and excitement of the story. It's a wonderful literary gem that will be cherished for years to come.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed the book Runaway Ralph. What I liked most was how Ralph desired a dangerous life. This aspect made me connect with the story on a personal level. Just like Ralph, I have always been reluctant to share with my brother, and speed has always been one of my favorite things. I have a tendency to push the limits, seeing how fast or far I can go before getting hurt.

Plot: In the beginning of the book, Ralph owns a miniature motorcycle. His parents are constantly scolding him because they believe it is dangerous to ride. However, Ralph doesn't pay any attention and rides it anyway. He even rides it at night when the night watch falls asleep. One day, Ralph's parents tell him to share his motorcycle, but he refuses. As a result, he is forced to let his siblings ride it. After this incident, Ralph decides to run away. When the door is left open, he seizes the opportunity and rides his motorcycle onto the open road. After a long ride, he ends up at Happy Acres Youth Camp. There, a kid discovers him and puts him in a cage. After spending some time at the camp, Ralph realizes that he misses home and decides to go back where he will be safe.

Characterization: Ralph is an adventurous mouse who is always seeking excitement and danger. His parents, on the other hand, are overprotective and worry about his safety. Ralph's little sisters and brothers are typical annoying siblings who often get him into trouble with their parents. Chum, the hamster, is ungrateful and not satisfied with the care he receives.

Impact of setting: The story is set in a kids' camp during the summer. I think the setting is crucial because if it were winter, Ralph would not be able to travel as freely. The summer provides the perfect opportunity for him to embark on his adventures.

Thematic Connection: The theme of the book Runaway Ralph is adventure. Ralph's desire to travel, go fast, and be free without the concerns of a mouse all contribute to this theme. He goes on a road trip and experiences a thrilling ride, which is the essence of adventure.

Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book to kids in grades 5 to 9, regardless of gender. I believe they would all relate to the idea of wanting to be free and have adventures. However, I would not recommend it to older kids as it may be too simplistic for them. Overall, I would rate this book a four out of five.

I have just completed this as a read aloud session with my son, who typically has an aversion to read alouds. To my pleasant surprise, he was completely engrossed in the story. In fact, when we reached a suspenseful part and it was time to stop, he pleaded with me to continue. He was truly disappointed when the reading came to an end. Now, he is eager to explore the other books in the trilogy.

The writing in this book is of excellent quality. It manages to be both entertaining for adults and captivating for children. The story is filled with imagination, taking the readers on a thrilling adventure. The characters are well-developed and mostly likable, with the exception of Catso, who adds an interesting layer of complexity to the narrative. The conflict is resolved in a way that is both satisfying and believable, leaving both my son and me longing for more.

Overall, this book has been a wonderful discovery. It has not only managed to engage my reluctant reader but has also provided us with a shared experience that we will cherish. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read, regardless of age.

My kids, who are 9 and 6 years old respectively, didn't have the same level of affection for this one as they did for the Mouse and the Motorcycle. However, they did take pleasure in some of the new characters introduced. There was Catso the cat, with its sleek fur and mysterious ways. Sam the dog, always loyal and full of energy. And Chum the hamster, small and cute. It was indeed great fun to witness Ralph in a brand new environment, away from the familiar Mountain View Inn.

He was now in a different setting, facing new challenges and adventures. This change added an element of excitement to the story. The kids were eager to see how Ralph would interact with these new characters and what kind of experiences he would have.

Although it might not have been their absolute favorite, it still managed to capture their attention and provide them with some entertainment.

I vividly remember reading Ralph S. Mouse many years ago during my elementary school days. It was truly fascinating to pick up this book once again after such a long time and be able to immerse myself right into the story.

Ralph, who has grown tired of his monotonous life in the hotel, decides to embark on an exciting adventure to camp. He sets off on his reliable motorcycle, full of anticipation. However, along the way, he encounters a curious and nosy dog as well as a sneaky cat.

Despite the challenges, Ralph manages to join forces with a rather grumpy hamster. Through their experiences together, Ralph discovers that sometimes, the comfort and familiarity of home are actually better than the allure of new adventures. This realization brings a sense of wisdom and growth to Ralph, making his journey all the more meaningful.

The story of Ralph S. Mouse is not only entertaining but also teaches us valuable lessons about the importance of appreciating what we have and finding contentment in our own lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Runaway Ralph” by Beverly Cleary. It was truly a remarkable book.

The story was extremely easy to follow, which made it impossible for me to put down. Beverly Cleary's use of vivid details in writing this book was outstanding. I could almost envision myself right there in the story, experiencing everything that Ralph went through. The humor sprinkled throughout the book added an extra layer of enjoyment.

Ralph was no ordinary mouse. He had a burning desire to leave his family and seek a place where he could indulge in delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. His life took an exciting turn when a kid at the hotel where he lived gave him a motorcycle. Every night, Ralph would embark on thrilling rides on his motorcycle. Eventually, he decided to leave the hotel in the dead of night and set off on a journey to the camp he had always dreamed of visiting. At the camp, he met a camper named Garf, who was there because he had stolen a watch from a shop. After many adventures, Ralph ultimately returned to the hotel where he had come from.

Ralph was, without a doubt, the perfect main character for this book. Some of the other memorable characters included Garth, Matt, Catso, and Sam. Sam was the vigilant watch dog at the summer camp. Catso was a mischievous cat who never shied away from trouble. Matt and Garth were both kind humans who came to Ralph's aid whenever he found himself in a difficult situation.

In the beginning, the story was set in the hotel where Ralph and his family of mice resided. Later, the setting shifted to the exciting summer camp where Ralph's adventures truly began. This book would not have had the same charm if it had been set anywhere other than a summer camp. The story also took place in modern times in Pennsylvania.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to kids of all ages who have a passion for adventure books. I would especially recommend it to boys, as Ralph was a boy mouse. I rate this book a perfect 5 stars because of its engaging story line and the wonderful details that brought the story to life.

Classic and vintage Cleary.

It has been a long time since I've delved into one of her captivating books.

Ralph embarks on an exciting adventure aboard his motorcycle, and he even dons his crash helmet for safety.

His interactions with other animals occur as he flees from the hotel where he resides with his family and extended family.

This is a quick read, and Ralph is meant to be living freely in the open rather than confined in a cage. However, he also enjoys his interactions with his "owner" Garf.

Nonetheless, the story could have benefited from a better closure. It left me with a sense of longing for more details and a more satisfying conclusion.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but the lack of a proper ending left a bit of a void.

I look forward to exploring more of Cleary's works in the future.

Year: 1970

Reading Level: Intermediate

Genre: Real world fantasy

Series: Mouse and the Motorcycle

Ralph, tired of living with his annoying younger cousins and constantly nagging relatives, decides to leave the rustic inn that has been his home. He sets off on the open road in search of freedom, riding his trusty motorcycle. After a long and arduous journey, Ralph arrives at the Happy Acres summer camp. However, his freedom is short-lived as he soon finds himself trapped in a wire cage with only a cynical hamster for company. Desperate to regain his freedom, Ralph formulates a daring escape plan. But the camp's cat has other ideas and is not keen on letting him go.

Red Flags: None

My Rating: B+. I have always loved The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and although this installment may not be as excellent as the first, I still find the concept of a mouse riding a motorcycle simply by making the sound truly enchanting. About three-quarters of the way through, I began to wonder if I had read this book before or if I was confusing it with Ralph S. Mouse. Or perhaps I had read both? I really have no clue.