Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D. (Children's Literature)
Ralph, a thrill seeking young mouse living in the Mountain View Inn, makes friends with Keith, the young boy who has just checked into room 215 with his parents. Keith has a shiny mouse-sized motorcycle that Ralph is dying to ride. The friends make a deal. Ralph can ride at night if he promises to leave the bike alone during the day when a mouse on a motorcycle would be likely to attract unwanted attention. A crisis ensues when Ralph's curiosity gets the better of him and he decides to take a spin during the day. Ralph is an endearing protagonist that will win his way into readers' hearts. Children will identify with his curiosity and sense of adventure. They will root for him as he schemes to find the missing motorcycle and put things right with Keith. An excellent story and interesting characters blend well with adorable black-and-white illustrations to make this book a winner. 2000 (orig. 1965), HarperTrophy/HarperCollins, $5.95. Ages 7 to 11.

Beth (BookHive (www.bookhive.org))
Ralph the mouse finds his hearts desire when a little boy enters the room with the most wonderful of all things- a mouse-sized motorcycle! Ralph and Keith become great friends when they learn that all creatures who share a love for motorcycles can communicate. The excitement begins when Ralph starts riding the motorcycle into every possible scrape imaginable from running into a nasty dog to trying to outrun the vaccum cleaner. He even gets a chance to save the day! This classic story captures a child's fascination with the big wide world and the trials and triumphs of trying to explore it. Follow Ralph as he uses his dream motorcycle to get closer to his real dream--growing up. Category: Classics; Fantasy; Humor. Grade Level: Primary (K-3rd grade); Intermediate (4th-6th grade). 1965, Morrow Junior Books. Ages 5 to 12.