# Runaway Ralph

**Author:** Beverly Cleary
**Grade range:** Grades 4–6
**Age range:** 9–11
**First published:** 1970
**Page count:** 175
**Genre:** Humor
**ISBN-13:** `9780061707070`
**ISBN-10:** `0062040553`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/runaway-ralph
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Runaway Ralph is the second in a children's novel trilogy written by Beverly Cleary. First published in 1970, it is the last book by Cleary that Louis Darling illustrated before his death. The book features the titular character, Ralph S. Mouse, a house mouse that can talk to humans, and goes on adventures on his miniature motorcycle. The book was given the Nene Award by the Hawaii Library Association in 1972.

## Themes

- watchdogs
- motorcycling
- camping
- running away

## Where this book is assigned

### Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Arkansas — [source: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award — Arkansas's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/CharlieMaySimonWinners.2023-24.pdf)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arkansas — [source: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award — Arkansas's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/CharlieMaySimonWinners.2023-24.pdf)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Arkansas — [source: Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award — Arkansas's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/CharlieMaySimonWinners.2023-24.pdf)

### Nēnē Award (Hawai'i)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Hawaii — [source: Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) — Hawaii's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Hawaii — [source: Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) — Hawaii's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Hawaii — [source: Nēnē Award (Hawai'i) — Hawaii's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 4-6): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)

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