The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Infobox Book
name = The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Rick Yancey
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Alfred Kropp
genre = Young adult novel
publisher = Bloomsbury
release_date = 2005
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 375 pp
isbn = ISBN 1582346933
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp" is a novel by Rick Yancey. The book tells the story of a teenager named Alfred who helps his uncle acquire the legendary sword Excalibur.

"Publishers Weekly" gave the book a starred review upon release and named it one of their "Best Books for Children" in 2005, the book was a Carnegie Medal nominee in 2006, and the film rights to the book were picked up by Warner Bros. in 2005.

A sequel, ', was released in May 2007. A third book, ', was released June 24, 2008.

The story is based on the modern times, with the obvious conspiracy with stealing the sword "Excalibur", said to be wielded by King Arthur himself in his time. It is said he threw it back to The Lady of The Lake before he died. Therefore, humans of modern times maybe placed another cover-up story to shield the Knights of the Round Table, who actually had the rights to the sword. The villain is an ex-knight, Mogart.

Plot

Basically, Alfred lives with his security guard uncle in a small apartment, listening to music and reading. It's revealed that his dad left his mother, who died from cancer. Alfred soon joins the football team, resulting in failure.

A man named Arthur Meyers visits the apartment, and offers a large sum of money for the return of an object stolen from him by Uncle Kropp's boss. Basically, Alfred's uncle has to break into the main office, find the safe, and steal the object (a valuable sword)

Alfred finds the sword, and starts swinging it around. He cuts himself by touching the blade of the sword. Then when he is about to leave, he gets attacked by three monks. A battle ensues, but Alfred manages to defeat them with Excalibur. They escape home, where they are attacked by Mogart, who disguised himself as Arthur Meyers. The sword is stolen, and Alfred's uncle is killed. When Alfred thinks it's his turn, Mogart just says "Shh!" and walks away.

It's revealed that Mogart has been after the sword for some time, and that it doesn't really belong to him. When Alfred meets Bennacio, a knight protector of the sword (and the lead monk who attacked him), he reveals that all the defenders were killed and the sword was lost. After telling this, he leaves the coffee shop they were in and Alfred follows him. He sees Bennacio get attacked and attempts to save him. They go to Bennacio's room at the Marriot, where Bennacio uses Alfred's blood (where he cut himself) to heal the wound.

The next day, Bennacio is ready to leave without Alfred, but he pleads to the knight to help in any way he can. Bennacio offers Alfred a chance to drive him. They drive to Canada and steal a Ferrari, but are attacked by more of Mogart's henchmen. Bennacio kills them when he has the chance and then continues on their journey. They stop at a deceased knight's house, where Windimar's mother lets them stay. They leave the next day, and get attacked once again, this time there are six of them on Suzuki Hayabusas.

Characters

Alfred Kropp - the hero of this story. Alfred never really wanted to steal the sword, but ends up doing so and getting everybody killed. Now, he's got to make up for his mistake.

Mogart - The villain of this story. Mogart wanted to join the knights who protected the sword, but got pushed out of leadership when Alfred was born. Now, Mogart and his servants want the sword for themselves, and want revenge.

Bennacio - A knight from the group who protected Excalibur from those who would abuse it. (Until Alfred showed up). When all of the knights get killed except him, Bennacio is sent to tell Alfred the news from his leader, Bernard Samson. But the news was only about tragety. Now, he and Alfred have to work together to save the sword and stop Mogart.

Mike Arnold - An agent of the organization known as OIPEP who is seduced by the Sword and double-crosses Alfred, Bennacio, and OIPEP get his hands on it. DEFAULTSORT:Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, The