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I, Q #6
I, Q: Alcatraz
With the nation reeling from the recent terrorist attacks, Q and Angela leave Chicago and arrive in San Francisco. Their parents are determined to continue the Match tour but for safety's sake, they have decided to send Q and Angela to boarding school. Not happy at the thought of being taken off the trail of the ghost cell, Q and Angela race against time with Boone and the SOS team to find Number One, the leader of the world's most feared terrorist organization. It's the final showdown.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
46 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
About the author
Roland Smith
153 books838 followersRoland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 24, 2018
I've said it before here on goodreads and I'll probably say it again sometime in the future, but Roland Smith is definitely one of my absolute favorite authors for middle grade action/adventure stories. I only have one more of his books to go and then I'll have read all of his works of fiction. I can't believe I almost didn't even read this series. I knew the books were out there and I had seen them in the library and in bookstores, but I always found the covers just so unappealing and uninteresting that I figured whatever the series was about, it probably wasn't one for me. Thankfully, the teachers and librarians in my kids book group chose the first book in the series as one of our two books to read for February. So a big thank you to the women in the Emerald Empire Reading Council's Teachers as Readers Kid's Book Group for knowing the kinds of books I love to read.
I was very sad when I read the final page in this final book of this series. I really wish it could could on for another six or more books because I would happily read them all. I did love the ending. Everyone's stories got tied up nicely and their lives are now in a good place. And most of all, the questions I had been storing in my head throughout the series finally got answered to my satisfaction. The biggest question or questions, and probably the one that most people have while reading the books is, who or what are Boone and Croc, where did they come from, and will I ever learn their true story? Happily, the answer to all those questions is YES. The perfect end to a perfect series. Please recommend this wonderful series to any kid who loves action/adventure stories that also include tons of mystery and intrigue, time travel, spies, double agents, lots of bad guys with guns, and two pretty cool teens who use their brains and street smarts to outwit all of them.
I was very sad when I read the final page in this final book of this series. I really wish it could could on for another six or more books because I would happily read them all. I did love the ending. Everyone's stories got tied up nicely and their lives are now in a good place. And most of all, the questions I had been storing in my head throughout the series finally got answered to my satisfaction. The biggest question or questions, and probably the one that most people have while reading the books is, who or what are Boone and Croc, where did they come from, and will I ever learn their true story? Happily, the answer to all those questions is YES. The perfect end to a perfect series. Please recommend this wonderful series to any kid who loves action/adventure stories that also include tons of mystery and intrigue, time travel, spies, double agents, lots of bad guys with guns, and two pretty cool teens who use their brains and street smarts to outwit all of them.
May 5, 2015
Awesome. So glad I finally was told the mystery of Boone. The ending was good and he (the author) wrapped it up well. The loose end and the mysteries were cleared up and the story was really good. I am rather surprised that Boone left his beloved "Croc" with Angela and Q. It is cool though that the light from the holy grail brought the young dog back and I mean seriously that dog was old! The only question I have is whether Q and Angela can "blink", the book did say that they were in the light when Boone opened the case. Ok make that two questions, where did Boone and Speed Paulson go? This was really one of the best books I have ever read. Spradlin was really able to tie the style of Smith's writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2015
I had no idea that this was the last book of the series. I'm super sad. Following Q and Angela across the country was pure joy. I have recommended this series quite a few times and the kids have never been disappointed. In this final installment we find out about Boone's true abilities; discover who Number One is; and watch as Q and Angela become true siblings, always looking out for each other. I am anxious to start Roland Smith's newest book, Beneath. I usually have one Smith book in my pile at any given time.
October 23, 2025
I’m aware I finished this in like an hour. But it was too damn good not too. It was the perfect end to the series and I loved it. I definitely feel like there should be more, even though the main plot is finished, I just want more of the story. Please read this series!!! It’s so good.
May 2, 2019
Okay, I had to sleep on this one to think about how I felt about the ending of this final book in the series. I liked the book, I felt it was an acceptable conclusion to the series. I even liked the way it ended to an extent. The problem is one that I have ranted about before and most certainly will rant about again.
I realize that I am a reading teacher so I might get more annoyed by this type of thing than other people, but the plot mountain exists because it is true of novels, and I loathe when authors go from climax to the end too quickly. It cheats the reader, and leaves the reader feeling off-balance and sometimes angry. Boy, did this book do that!
I LOVED this series, I read the entire series in less than a week. I am invested in these characters, and one of the things I loved about the books was how fleshed out the secondary characters were. I was invested in them as well, and this book ended with a conclusion for only the 3 central characters, and in fact some of those characters we loved were left in some precarious situations!
This takes away trust. I can't trust this author. I could never recommend his books to my students, if the books leave me, an adult this disappointed and feeling as if I abandoned my friends when they were in peril, what does it do to kids?
I know authors get annoyed that readers want everything to be tied up in a nice little bow. I know they resent that. But first of all, who do they write books for? If it is just so you can tell a story, leave it in your desk drawer! If, however you do it to gain readers then shouldn't you take them into account? Shouldn't you take them from climax to THE END with a little gentleness, instead of a 6 page death drop? Six pages from climax of a series, to end is not adequate. I was excited because I found a new to me author with many books! Now, I don't feel I can trust him. I don't like this feeling after I finish a book.
I realize that I am a reading teacher so I might get more annoyed by this type of thing than other people, but the plot mountain exists because it is true of novels, and I loathe when authors go from climax to the end too quickly. It cheats the reader, and leaves the reader feeling off-balance and sometimes angry. Boy, did this book do that!
I LOVED this series, I read the entire series in less than a week. I am invested in these characters, and one of the things I loved about the books was how fleshed out the secondary characters were. I was invested in them as well, and this book ended with a conclusion for only the 3 central characters, and in fact some of those characters we loved were left in some precarious situations!
This takes away trust. I can't trust this author. I could never recommend his books to my students, if the books leave me, an adult this disappointed and feeling as if I abandoned my friends when they were in peril, what does it do to kids?
I know authors get annoyed that readers want everything to be tied up in a nice little bow. I know they resent that. But first of all, who do they write books for? If it is just so you can tell a story, leave it in your desk drawer! If, however you do it to gain readers then shouldn't you take them into account? Shouldn't you take them from climax to THE END with a little gentleness, instead of a 6 page death drop? Six pages from climax of a series, to end is not adequate. I was excited because I found a new to me author with many books! Now, I don't feel I can trust him. I don't like this feeling after I finish a book.
March 7, 2019
Are you looking for an amazing book series to read I would definitely recommend I,Q it was a marvelous series from start to finish the book I most recently read was I,Q Book 6 Alcatraz I Couldn’t put the book down it was so interesting from start to finish. It starts out with the two main characters of the book Q and Angela who are step brother and sister facing a harsh punishment at the end of their recently married mom and dad’s next concert they were going to be sent to boarding school because they had not kept up with their school work they were supposed to be doing while their parents were on tour but that was the least of their worries. The reason they were so behind was because while the were on tour with their parents they had been tracking a terrorist ghost cell with an old rode named Boone and Angela’s “dead” mother who was infiltrating the ghost cell pretending to be a terrorist I find it so amazing how many plot twists there are in this story so I will try to not spoil too much because I think that anyone who likes the mystery genre should read this book with at least not too many spoilers Boone the “rode” was actually a spy working off the grid with no help from the government trying to take down the ghost cell but he wasn’t working alone he had help from a team of spy’s he had assembled over the years. I think that the name of this book is extremely clever I,Q because the name of the main character is quest but he prefers to be called Q and Alcatraz is clever as well because even though they don’t start there they end up there by the end. This book is a great read if your into mystery and a little historical fiction but in reality I would recommend reading it to anyone because its just a fantastic read.
April 23, 2019
End to an interesting series. Touched on many subjects: parents divorce, step-siblings, concert and music industry, international terrorism, spies, roadies and magic. Strange explanation that I did not see coming. Ending was a bit abrupt.
Likes:
* Q's magic tricks
* Boone, blinking roadie and tour security
Dislikes:
* Speed Paulsen, Q's uninvolved, absent father
* Boarding school for Q & Angela
With-reservations:
violence, death, betrayal, lies, enemies of state, terrorists, kidnapping
Likes:
* Q's magic tricks
* Boone, blinking roadie and tour security
Dislikes:
* Speed Paulsen, Q's uninvolved, absent father
* Boarding school for Q & Angela
With-reservations:
violence, death, betrayal, lies, enemies of state, terrorists, kidnapping
January 8, 2019
In the book I, Q book six: Alcatraz, by Roland Smith and Michael P. Spradlin. The main characters Angela and Q are helping to fight a terrorist cell without there parents knowing. Angelas thought to be dead mother is working her way up through the terrorist cell called the ghost cell trying to take it out. Angelas dad and Q’s mom are on a nationwide concert tour and know nothing about what their kids are doing. One of the important people in the tour's crew is named Boone, he is part of a group that is helping Angela's mom take out the ghost cell. Bonne is a person full of mysteries and may not turn out to be how Angela, Q, and the rest of his team think he is.
I would recommend this book to anybody that likes a good amount of action in the books that they read. One thing about the book that I liked was the amount of action that was in the book. Another thing that I liked in this book was how it kept me wanting to read more. Nothing comes to mind when I try to think of something that I disliked.
I would recommend this book to anybody that likes a good amount of action in the books that they read. One thing about the book that I liked was the amount of action that was in the book. Another thing that I liked in this book was how it kept me wanting to read more. Nothing comes to mind when I try to think of something that I disliked.
February 4, 2025
SPOILER WARNING: if you haven’t read this book and want to read this book and hate spoilers DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW
“Everything you need to know can be found In a book.” -Boone
I LOVE THIS BOOK ITS MY FAVORITE! I love the whole plot twist on Q actually getting his magic from his dad and I love that Boone was actually immortal. There were so many things that I didn’t recognize that were highly obvious like all those tips I just shared.but rereading it I see it clearly you definitely don’t see it the first time reading it though I love this book. It’s my favorite. I love the relationship between Q and Angela. They are the best.brother + sister duo I have ever read about and I will always love this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
The books were good as political spy thrillers. The super weird fantasy twist backstory though? Not only really tacky but also drains the series of four and a half books worth of hard-earned heart.
The characters all talk in a really juvenile, almost unnatural way. And they all talk exactly the same, regardless of age, background, or (astonishingly) even time period. The pacing is poor with comedy thrown in at awkward moments or, quite often, literally as an interjections breaking up a character’s serious comment mid-sentence.
The characters all talk in a really juvenile, almost unnatural way. And they all talk exactly the same, regardless of age, background, or (astonishingly) even time period. The pacing is poor with comedy thrown in at awkward moments or, quite often, literally as an interjections breaking up a character’s serious comment mid-sentence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2020
I honestly put off reading this book as I had already lost interest in the series, but I have a certain compulsion to finish things that I start. Thankfully, it was a quick, easy read once I finally got around to starting it. I was just bored through the whole thing. There was resolution at the end, so that was good, I guess. Meh. I’m not broken-hearted that there are no more books in this series.
March 24, 2021
As a book in the series, this was fine. As the END to the series?
It was kind of a letdown.
The climax finished almost as quickly as it began, and many of my questions were left unanswered. The last couple pages also just...confused me. I really wanted an epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed this series, especially because it's unique in certain ways. Still, I think it would have benefitted from involving the main character more and not rushing the storyline so much.
It was kind of a letdown.
The climax finished almost as quickly as it began, and many of my questions were left unanswered. The last couple pages also just...confused me. I really wanted an epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed this series, especially because it's unique in certain ways. Still, I think it would have benefitted from involving the main character more and not rushing the storyline so much.
August 15, 2019
Ok. Um. Where do I begin. This series is one of my favorites of all time. The fantasy plot twist towards the end shook me a lot. I mean. A lot. But with most authors that would have been horrible, but Roland Smith figures out how to do it perfectly. I think that this was a great ending for this outstanding series. LOVE IT TO MY CORE!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2018
I think that this series is absolutely amazing. I thought about the twist they put in this story, and I like it because the kids get to learn something new about two different religions and how they seem to come together.
July 23, 2018
One of the best YA series ever! I must admit, the revelation of Number One's identity came completely out of the blue, but, over all, I was satisfied with the conclusion of the story. Note to future readers: you CANNOT read just one book in this series.
August 29, 2018
That was a fun story. I am so proud of myself for figuring out who Number One was. I did not see that explanation for Boone’s abilities though. The holy grail huh? Weird. And now Angela and Q are going to live for a thousand years?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2024
The ending of this book was just so rushed. Like I already read five books before this one, at least end it well even if you have to write more pages to make it happen, actually that’s even preferred.
July 19, 2018
Those who like this series will not be disappointed. There seems to be a little more violence in this book, but is still appropriate in context and for upper elementary/middle grade students.
May 2, 2019
I think this series is an excellent read for girls and boys. There is a lot of team work, good vs. evil, loyalty and right and wrong. My only gripe is it ended too soon.
June 14, 2019
Weird conclusion to the series. Honestly, I didn't like the new information that was in this book that concluded the series and the mystery. Still a great series, though.
July 11, 2021
final documented adventures of Q & Angela.
August 28, 2024
This was fine. The book had a great pave up until the end. It ended way too abruptly and didn’t tie up all the loose ends. It’s just ok.
October 11, 2014
Alcatraz - I, Q Alcatraz by Michael P. Spradlin and Roland Smith, is an amazing, heart-pounding, breath-stopping action packed conclusion to the IQ Series. The series begins at the wedding reception of Q Munoz's mother and Angela Tucker's father, near San Francisco. The series winds it's way on a cross country music tour to end where it began on San Francisco Bay area.
Unfortunately, though, a clown was hurt in this book.
This book answered all my questions and tied up any loose ends What an impressive conclusion! As an adult, I purchased this book this morning and finished it this afternoon. I simply could NOT put it down. As a teacher, I have had students asking for this book for over 8 weeks and they will not be disappointed. Shhh. . . don't tell the kids there is much to be learned from this book, which I won't include as it would spoil the reading. The wise-cracking, Q grows and develops physically and morally as we would hope he would. This is such a great series for those students who love adventure, intrigue, spies, twists, turns and good vs evil. The plot twists, turns and surprises, last until midway through the last chapter.
Unfortunately, though, a clown was hurt in this book.
This book answered all my questions and tied up any loose ends What an impressive conclusion! As an adult, I purchased this book this morning and finished it this afternoon. I simply could NOT put it down. As a teacher, I have had students asking for this book for over 8 weeks and they will not be disappointed. Shhh. . . don't tell the kids there is much to be learned from this book, which I won't include as it would spoil the reading. The wise-cracking, Q grows and develops physically and morally as we would hope he would. This is such a great series for those students who love adventure, intrigue, spies, twists, turns and good vs evil. The plot twists, turns and surprises, last until midway through the last chapter.
September 21, 2023
(3.5 / 5)
This is the final installment of the series-long story, the kind of series that you really need to start from the beginning. In some ways, it's a satisfying conclusion to the story, as answers are provided, some more surprising than others. Some pieces fell into place that made the identity of Number One fairly obvious to me and, in fact, made me realize maybe I should have guessed it sooner. But I didn't, and I doubt most of the kids in the target age group would either, which makes for an exciting story.
There were some things that happened that I didn't really think made much sense or weren't necessary. And the supernatural element that developed throughout the series did not have a satisfactory explanation for my preference. By that I mean that it was fully explained, but the root of the supernatural abilities didn't really make sense. I can't explain very well without spoiling it, but it just sort of seemed like the author(s) didn't put as much thought into the backstory as they should have. However, since the series was a solid 4 stars for me all throughout until this book, which was only half a star less than that, I think it's well worth a read for anyone who is at all interested in the genre or series synopsis. I'm glad I read this series, though I doubt I'll re-read it.
This is the final installment of the series-long story, the kind of series that you really need to start from the beginning. In some ways, it's a satisfying conclusion to the story, as answers are provided, some more surprising than others. Some pieces fell into place that made the identity of Number One fairly obvious to me and, in fact, made me realize maybe I should have guessed it sooner. But I didn't, and I doubt most of the kids in the target age group would either, which makes for an exciting story.
There were some things that happened that I didn't really think made much sense or weren't necessary. And the supernatural element that developed throughout the series did not have a satisfactory explanation for my preference. By that I mean that it was fully explained, but the root of the supernatural abilities didn't really make sense. I can't explain very well without spoiling it, but it just sort of seemed like the author(s) didn't put as much thought into the backstory as they should have. However, since the series was a solid 4 stars for me all throughout until this book, which was only half a star less than that, I think it's well worth a read for anyone who is at all interested in the genre or series synopsis. I'm glad I read this series, though I doubt I'll re-read it.
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July 6, 2015Wow. I can't believe it. So many things happened in this book. I was sooo happy to finally figure everything out, but I'm also sad that it's over. (And that Boone has left.)I didn't want it to end. This series has been heart-stopping, heart-racing, and amazing.
Now - Has the story really ended? I don't think so. Maybe the series has ended, but I'm hoping to see how I.Q., Angela, and Croc work together to stop more terrorists. I.Q. might have said he had had enough of all of it, but I'm not so sure.
Now - Has the story really ended? I don't think so. Maybe the series has ended, but I'm hoping to see how I.Q., Angela, and Croc work together to stop more terrorists. I.Q. might have said he had had enough of all of it, but I'm not so sure.
September 7, 2015
This entire series was fabulous and made me want to keep reading each book faster than the last. I loved the information about all the places covered in the books, the spy aspects to everything, and the continued wonder of what the end game was. This last book really surprised me by adding in a twist I thought I had sort of figured out, but I hadn't. I liked the added element of fantasy into the conclusion and that it really "fit", it wasn't just used to tie up loose ends. This series has definitely prompted me to read more by these authors.
September 25, 2015
Amazing ending to the series, but I still have a few questions. Since Croc blinked them to the concert, and they were exposed to the Holy Grail, will they get the same powers as Boone? Where is Boone putting Speed? Will Boone really die? I guess the author ended like this so we can choose what happens, but it's not as "satisfying" as I wish it would be.
The author ended the book with Angela and Q listening to their parents sing at a concert. I think he did this on purpose, the last line of the first book was, "Match began to sing".
The author ended the book with Angela and Q listening to their parents sing at a concert. I think he did this on purpose, the last line of the first book was, "Match began to sing".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2015
A nice ending to a great series; this book answered a lot of questions I had about Boone and Croc and blew me out of the water when the identity of Number One was revealed, however it dragged in some areas and the ending was disappointing, I felt it should have been a bigger, more drawn out ending, than the few pages we had.
This was a great ya series and I would easily recommend it to anyone who likes spy-thrillers with a bit of mystery thrown in.
This was a great ya series and I would easily recommend it to anyone who likes spy-thrillers with a bit of mystery thrown in.
May 7, 2015
I was so excited to finally read this and like the others in the series, it is filled with adventure and excitement. All the terrorism and counterintelligence spy stuff is awesome. I also love how, like the others, the plot continues to take place in regions I am familiar with, especially the Bay Area. I must admit, I was VERY surprised to see where and how the story went - I was definitely not expecting how things turned out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews