Roland Smith…..Best Author in the World?
Uncategorized November 13th, 2007
Roland Smith has 2 books on this year’s Mark Twain Award Nominee List – Jack’s Run and Cryptid Hunters. In 2004, his book Zach’s Lie won the Mark Twain Award. Zach’s Lie is one of my all time favorite books and I’m always recommending it to teachers and students. As I read it, I kept asking myself, “What would I do if I had to change my name and move away from friends and family?” I can’t imagine being in the Witness Protection Program. Jack’s Run is the sequel to Zach’s Lie. Even if you haven’t read Zach’s Lie, Roland Smith gives enough background information to easily understand Jack’s past. In Jack’s Run, Alonzo, the drug czar, intensifies his hunt for Jack’s family. Since Jack had messed up once before, I kept wondering, “Will he do it again?”
In his novels, Roland Smith makes the readers feel like they’re inside the story, seeing the action and adventure through the eyes of the character. Remember the boy introducing Cryptid Hunters on this year’s Mark Twain Award video when he said (about Roland Smith) “…best author in the world right there, best author.”
Do you agree – Is Roland Smith the best author in the world? What do you think about his books? Will he have another Mark Twain Award winner this year?
November 13th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I think Roland Smith is a great author, but he is definitely not the best author in the world. His books are alright, but he doesn’t really draw me in. It’s a great read but it lacks things. It’s very bland at some points, lacks details, but it is still an adventurous story and his characters do represent the strong bond between children and their parents and at some points the characters apear lifelike. Personally I don’t feel that I’m part of the story. It feels like I’m floating above them safe from harm while they go through their problems and fights. Some of the characters are totally unreal like Alonzo’s brother Raphael isn’t realistic. I mean who in the world is obsessed with cowboys.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
This book is wonderful! Roland Smith writes amazing books. Zach’s Lie and Jack’s Run are very interesting. They are kinda like mysteries, but then they shock you when you least expect it. Zach’s Lie is the first book, then Jack’s Run is the sequel. For Jack’s Run to make any sense, you should read Zach’s Lie. Zach’s Lie is where they basicly tell you everything that happened to their life. But on the other hand, Jack’s Run is a little different. I don’t want to ruin the story, But Zach and his sister, Joanne get captured by Alonzo. I recommend this book to all of my classmates. I love this book! It is awesomeness!
November 13th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Roland Smith is one of the best authors that I have had the fortune of reading books by. He really knows how to captivate his readers. Like in Zach’s Lie, I was really into it. As I read on, I had these questions like, “How does it feels to be in the Witness Protection Program?” or “What would I do if I had to go through all the things that Zack went through?” In the sequel Jack’s Run, the story about Zack, his family, and Alonzo intensfies. After the little mishap that happened in Nevada, Zach and his sister Joanna moved to California. There, they are held captive by Raphael, Alonzo’s brother. Will they escape? Another good book by Roland Smith is Cryptid Hunters. You should read it, no really.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Roland Smith is a great author. When I read the books JACK’S RUN and ZACH’S LIE, they kept my interest. After I read the first book I almost felt like I had to read the sequel. I like the books beacause you never knew what was going to happen and you would always get surprised. They were kind of mysteries but they were also adventures. The books catch your attention really fast. Normally it takes me four or five days to read a book because I don’t read fast and I’m normally not intrested in them. These two books I read in a week.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I think Roland’s books are really interesting to read. I also think that his books have many adventures that takes place in different settings in the story. I think that Ronald Smith will win another award for next year. I think it depends on the children who read the book. My favorite character is jack. He has a very difficult life and interesting story to tell.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I agree that Roland Smith is a great author. He wrote a book about dinosuars called Cryptid Hunters.
It’s a book about these two kids who lost their parents in a helicopter crash. They meet their uncle (or is it their uncle? read and find out) on a private island. The uncle hunts for animals which aren’t supposed to be on Earth like the Sasquatch and dinosuars. I read this book in about 2 and a half hours to 3 hours because I liked the book so much I couldn’t stop. If you like to think there are things out there that aren’t supposed to be read Cryptid Hunters.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I really think he is the best author in the world. Both of his books are truly amazing. They’re very intresting. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. His books are very realistic, this can happen to anyone at any time. I like all of the parts because it’s scary. When I imagined myself as Jack or Zach, I would be terrified. I really think he should get the award again. I also think he should make another book in this series. He should keep making them. He will get a ton of awards. I know I find his books very interesting.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I strongly agree that Roland Smith is a geat author. My favorite book that he wrote was Zach’s Lie. Zach’s Lie was a very interesting. I’m realy glad he won 2004 Mark Twain Award. How Roland Smith writes makes me want to keep reading. I wonder if what happend in Zach’s Lie has happened to Roland Smith. Roland Smith is a really awesome writer. I really hope you read one of Roland Smith’s books on this year’s Mark Twain Award list.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
I love Roland Smith! I agree that he is the greatest author. His books are very intriguing and well-written. He draws the reader into the story he is telling. I have read both of his books that are nominated this year. Jack’s Run was the perfect sequel to Zach’s Lie. Cryptid Hunters is also wonderful and definitely one of my favorites this year. I am even reading it to my students. I am excited to read the comments of my former students who also think Roland Smith is wonderful!
November 20th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I really liked the book that Roland Smith wrote called “Jack’s Run”. It’s very exciting and adventurous. It always made me want to read more. I really think that Roland will win another Mark Twain Award this year since he has two books on the Mark Twain Nominee List and he really is an awsome writter. Keep up the good work Roland!
November 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I don’t really agree that Roland Smith is the best author in the world, but his books are adventures and dramatic which in my eyes makes him a very good writer. Roland Smith’s books are so good! When I was reading his books, I couldnt find it in myself to just put the book down. I absoutely love his books! I’m not sure that he will win another award, but I sure hope he does. He is truly one of my favorite authors.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I just finshed reading Jack’s Run this evening,(Don’t be suprised Miss. Ryan!), but I don’t think that he is the best author in the world. Jack’s Run was very suspenseful, and there were some points at times when I could not put the book down, and I must admit that he is a good author, but not the best.