When Meli, an Albanian 11-year-old girl, begins her story, she and her large, close-knit family are happily if not securely living in their ancestral community in Kosovo. But in 1999 Slobodan Milosevic's rule drove ethnic Albanians from their homes.   See and hear her story »

Ralph was a hero in the mousehole that night. His admiring relatives gathered around, begging to hear the story of his adventures. Ralph could not help bragging a little as he told the story of his travels, beginning with the search of the second-floor rooms, skipping the part about the teacher trapping him under a drinking glass, and ending with Keith's taking the aspirin and finally falling asleep.   Read More »

Owls! thought Ralph, as he clung to the Virginia creeper and filled his lungs with the cool night air that was such a relief after the stuffy drinking glass. I've always wanted to climb down this vine and explore the ground floor, he reminded himself grimly, and now I have to. Ralph had never before been outdoors beneath the moon and the stars. He felt small and frightened and alone.   Read More »

"I have to go out into the hotel," Ralph informed his relatives. "I've got to help the boy." "Oh, no, not out into the hotel," cried Ralph's mother. "Not while the housekeeper is looking for mice.   Read More »

At first Ralph's scheme worked. Keith delivered the promised bacon, toast, and jelly; the mice ate sparingly and laid aside the leftovers against the day Keith must leave the hotel.   Read More »

It was a sad night for Ralph, a sad and lonely night. If he went back to the mousehole, his mother was sure to worry him with embarrassing questions about the motorcycle. She would also expect him to help clean up after the family reunion. If he took off his crash helmet, he could squeeze under the door and explore the hall on foot, but he could not bear to part with the helmet and, anyway, he had no desire to travel by foot where he had once ridden with such noise and speed.   Read More »

The next thing Ralph knew, his mother was shaking him by the shoulder. "Wake up," she said. "Ralph, wake up. Room service has brought us another meal." "Room service?" Ralph rubbed his eyes, not   Read More »