The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
(2006, Fiction - Adventure, Written by Richard Yancey)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Likable loser must save world. For tweens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11–13
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that there is a lot of rather extreme violence referred to, though not graphically described, and many deaths by beheadings, throat stabbing, disembowelment, sword, knife, gun, arrow, and explosion. In addition, names of fast food restaurants, sodas, cars, and clothing labels are mentioned.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the dilemma of a kid who accidentally endangers others, and what responsibility he bears. What would you have done in the hero's situation? Why does he think so little of himself, and does that actually help him?
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More on The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
Book Summary
Oversized, clumsy, luckless, untalented, unmotivated, slow-witted Alfred has not had it easy. His father disappeared when he was a baby, his mother died of cancer, and his guardian, Uncle Farrell, is a night watchman with big dreams and a small mind. When Farrell forces him to help steal a valuable sword, neither of them know that it is Excalibur, the most powerful weapon on earth, and that their employer plans to use it to rule the world.
Swept up into a world of international intrigue that combines black ops agents in attack helicopters with medieval knights who fight with swords but drive Ferraris and motorcycles, Alfred stumbles forward trying to fix what he has messed up, only to see nearly everyone around him get killed. But there are secrets within secrets, including why Alfred is involved in this at all.
Is It Any Good?
There's been an interesting trend in kids' books in the last few years toward stories that are the literary equivalent of The Terminator movies -- well-made, cinematic, edgy, violent action-adventure thrillers that are just pure, ridiculous fun. This book is one of those. Though well-written (the hallmark of this new breed, as opposed to the garbage that was being foisted on reluctant kid readers just a decade ago), it doesn't withstand literary, or even logical, scrutiny. But that doesn't matter, because the story carries the reader along so rapidly, and with so much satisfaction and pleasure, that harping on its flaws seems positively curmudgeonly. This ain't made for English class; it's made to remind young teen boys how much fun reading can be -- and it does so admirably.
From its terrific opening hook to its obviously-this-is-going-to-be-a-series ending, this has what many young readers are looking for: a mystery, a bit of fantasy, humor, nonstop action, violence edgy enough to be cool and bug your parents, a nice array of weapons, cars, and planes, and, of course, a likable orphaned loser as the protagonist. Only at the climax does the author lose focus for an instant, making the resolution a bit fuzzy. Otherwise, this is high-quality escapism -- let's hope more is on the way.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, Publication date: 1/16/2006
Number of pages: 339, Price: $16.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 11, Read Alone: 12
Number of pages: 339, Price: $16.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 11, Read Alone: 12
Our Members Say
See 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
oh my god i love this book and it is grafic but i love it cant wait to read the 2end book oh and there is one grafic kill description when bennacio cuts a mans head off and takes the guts out of the other one
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
I LOVE this book
There is some harsh language, and alot of violence is described, but the humor and the scenarios are so outrageous that it makes perfect sense. Your kid NEEDS to read this book.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
I loved this modern mythical adventure!
This is a modern fantasy starring a realistic teenager that involves car chases, sword-fights, and other cool things. However, I found the violence a little strong. A must read for teens.
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I rate this title iffy and give it
Great Book for teens
Plot: a "rejected" boy's father tries to get money by stealing Excalibur (King Arthurs sword) but in the process things go wrong and the boy find out that who ever is in possession of the sword is "invincible" he then has to go find the man with the sword before he becomes to powerful with it. It's a good book, well written, fast paced and has good action in it. 5 stars not for 11 and under (Graphic Violence)
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