The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Alfred Kropp was just trying to survive high school when his guardian uncle gets him roped into a suspicious get-rich-quick scheme that changes his life forever: stealing Excalibur - the legendary sword of King Arthur. But after Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the hands of the enemy, he sets off on an unlikely quest to try to right his wrong and save the world from imminent destruction.
This gripping, fast-paced, and often hilarious novel is both a thrilling adventure story and an engaging account of one boy's coming of age.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Suspense? Check. Humor? Check. Flashy cars? Check. Violent fight scenes? Oh yeah. Unlikely teenage hero? Yep. This recording of Yancey's action-filled first YA novel has plenty of the elements likely to round up a legion of listeners. Following the death of his mother, 15-year-old Alfred Kropp moves in with his Uncle Farrell, who's trying to make ends meet as night watchman at the offices of a business scion in Tennessee. When Uncle Farrell gets a lucrative offer to "retrieve" a valuable sword from his work building for a mysterious, rival businessman named Arthur Myers, the plot and Farrell's "accomplice," Alfred take off on a rip-roaring quest. Turns out the lifted sword is Excalibur of Arthurian legend and the quest involves battling sword-wielding monks and a pack of motorcycle riding shoot-'em-up thugs among other foes, as well as traveling to Europe, and meeting up with a mentor-ish descendant of the Round Table. Listeners never get too comfortable, as Arthur is among the many people and things that are not what they seem. Placing a good-hearted, funny, big lug of a kid into a hero's shoes is the fine premise that gives Michael an entertaining canvas to work with. The slight Southern drawl of Uncle Farrell, the nearly-hissing French accent of Arthur, the nasty notes of the British monks, Alfred's likeable, na ve tones and yes, the high-octane story will all keep listeners enthralled. Ages 12-up.