4/24/10
Dear Ms. Monaco,
I recently read “The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp” by Rick Yancey. I give this book 9 out of 10 for because I feel that it puts too much suspense on small things even though it is otherwise great overall.
The genre of this book is confusing because it borders on fantasy and realistic fiction. It is a completely real book in the real world with almost everything in the book possible. However it also has a magic sword that can heal any injury or kill any enemy. I would probably call this realistic fiction even though not everything is realistic.
This book reminded me of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” because of the way the characters are made to be somewhat humorous. I like how the author did this because it makes the story a lot more interesting to read than if they are like a character rather than a person. This is a big part what makes both of these books entertaining, and a good overall read.
This book is about a large, clumsy, not-so-bright, and awkward boy named Alfred Kropp. He lives with his Uncle Farrell because he never knew his father and his mother died when he was 12. He isn’t in to sports as his uncle wants him to be, and he doesn’t have many hobbies or any friends at school. One day his uncle gets a call from a man offering $1,000,000 for Alfred’s uncle, as the security guard, to steal back a rare antique from Farrell’s boss. As it is an offer that can’t be refused he accepts the offer and drive to the office for work with Alfred to get the sword. The rest of the book is a must read filled with humor, adventure, and unexpected twists.
The main character of the story is not usually the typical kind of person you would expect. I think it was, however, a great idea on the author’s part as the story is infinitely more interesting. It makes you pause and think back every once in awhile to put together “What just happened?’’ After Alfred stumbles through another mess coming out somehow unscathed. If the main character was an average person who always knows exactly what is happening and how he can get out of it alive, then the story would just be another on one of the many shelves of the library.
"I never thought I would save the world or die saving it. I never believed in angels or miracles either, and I sure didn't think of myself as a hero. Nobody would have, including you, if you had known me before I took the world's most powerful weapon and let it fall into the hands of a lunatic. Maybe after you hear my story you won't think I'm much of a hero anyway since most my heroics resulted from my being a screwup." This quote starts the book and I also think it is important. Not only does this quote summarize the entire book, but it also manages to carry the same tone that I for some reason associate with rainy days and gray skies. Alfred always seems to be talking as if he was bruised and beaten. Saying he can't take anymore and he has lost even though he hasn't yet. I think this was an interesting approach by the author but I can't decide whether it has a positive or negative effect on the overall story.
I would say the theme of this book is things always make themselves right in the end and don’t give up hope. I say this because throughout the entire book Alfred just keeps taking blow after blow, emotionally and physically. He has to stay up night after night, he is chased across the country, he is nearly killed time after time but everything is eventually resolved. He couldn’t have ever gotten out alive without hope and his allies.
I can not wait to read the next two books in the trilogy titled "The Seal of Solomon" and "The Thirteenth Skull". I am hoping that these are just as entertaining as the first.
Your Student,
Justin Burt
