Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz Series #1)

A Great Book

I love this book and the series. It's a nice break from dark and vampire-filled science fiction that's everywhere. The story is fairly dramatic, but is told from a very comedic view. I would defintely reccomend this to people in search of a funny sci-fi type book.

My 10 year old brother loves it

I was reading this book to my brother and I pretty much fell in love with it myself. I would this book to recommend this book to kids from 7- 10. Me and my brother loved it and I know you will too.

Great Kids Book

Somewhere between A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lightning Thief is Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians. Easily the best kids book of the decade. Frankly, (don't shoot me) It's better than Harry Potter. I laughed out loud for hours and tortured my co-workers by reading passages every two minutes around the breakroom table.

Highly Recommended - hilarious, unique, and entertaining!

Brandon Sanderson has struck gold with his novel, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. Told through the eyes of the thirteen-year-old protagonist, this story is zany and completely hilarious! It is unlike any other book I have read before-where else can you find a story about magic glasses, talking dinosaurs, and librarians seeking world domination?

One of the many reasons why I love this book is because of the way it is told. As mentioned above, Alcatraz, the main character, narrates the story. He opens the book by warning readers that he is not a good person and could never be a hero. Throughout the novel, he reminds readers of this fact. Furthermore, while relating his tale, Alcatraz interrupts himself and frequently goes on strange tangents. By writing this way, Sanderson makes it seem as if the story is really being told by a thirteen-year-old boy. It also brings an added measure of personality to the book.

Alcatraz Smedry is an orphan who has been bounced from foster home to foster home all his life. Why? Because he has a talent for breaking anything and everything he touches. Of course, Alcatraz doesn't mean to-it just sort of happens.

On his thirteenth birthday, Alcatraz's world is turned upside-down when he receives an unusual birthday present on his doorstep: a bag of sand. Unbeknownst to Alcatraz, this is no ordinary sand-it contains powerful magic. After a strange turn of events, Alcatraz discovers that his sand was stolen by a group of evil librarians trying to take over the world. Now, Alcatraz must team up with his long-lost Grandpa Smedry and some unlikely heroes to get his inheritance back and stop the librarians!

Although it is 308 pages, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians is a quick read because of its fast-paced and entertaining plot. On the surface, this book is great for those simply seeking something fun to read. However, upon further examination, readers can find some great lessons hidden in the plot: finding faith in oneself, accepting one's talents, and learning to let others in. Because this book is a cross-over between Children's Literature and Young Adult Literature, I would recommend it to youth ages eleven to fifteen, although it can easily be enjoyed by readers of any age.

Great Book! I really recommend reading it!

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarian by Brandon Sanderson was an enjoyable read. The main character, Alcatraz Smedry has been shuffled from one foster home to another mostly because he can't manage to make his foster parents keep him. He keeps breaking things. Not on purpose mind you, it just happens. Doorknobs, kitchens, you name it and it breaks before him. He's used to it but he has no delusion that anyone else will be able to get used to it. Alcatraz receives a package with a mysterious postage date and a note that says that it is from his parents. Seeing that the package contains only sand, Alcatraz sets it aside. He has just managed to burn a room in his current foster home when Ms. Fletcher, his caseworker shows up and gets down on him for destroying everything. As Alcatraz prepares to move to yet another home, none other than his long lost grandfather Smedry shows up (late as usual) revealing to Alcatraz that he is part of a long line Oculators. Grandpa Smedry finds that the package and the sands within have been stolen and consequently drags Alcatraz on a journey to retrieve the sands which have unfathomable power and revealing that everything that Alcatraz has known before this moment was a lie concocted by the evil librarians who are in control of the Hushlands. Alcatraz must save the sands and come to know the truth about the world and himself or all is lost.
It was fast paced, fun, and definitely kept me on my toes. Admittedly, I wasn't overly excited to read this book. The cover was a little random and the title is odd to say the least. However, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found when I started to read it. It is witty and completely unexpected. The main character is sarcastic and cynical which adds to the humor. It is a very imaginative young adult novel, and even though I am in my twenties and am not a young adult, I still enjoyed it. I loved the story line. The characters are very memorable (and a little odd). The story in and of itself is creative. It also questions everything that those of us in the "Hushlands" believe. I like how Sanderson writes as if this is a true story and that it is only because we live in the Hushlands that this is called fiction. It continues the illusion, which seamlessly fits into the plot of the story. The absurdity of it all both add to and detract from the book. At the beginning I kept thinking "what?" but there came a point when things got so weird that I either had to embrace it or abandon it. I chose the former and I am not sorry that I did.
The story, as previously stated, is for Young Adults but would be suitable for others as well. The language is clean and nothing in the story is graphic. It is a good read and it is fun and exciting. I really liked this book and I would definitely recommend it... just be prepared that it is a little odd (but that's half the charm of it).

I Died Laughing, then Came Back to Write a Review

This entire series is absolutely amazing. Mr. Sanderson has a way of manipulating your thoughts into considering that there actually is something as ridiculous as a conspiracy among the librarians of the world. I read this as a young adult, and feel, like in Lemony Snicket's SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, while this book is perfectly appropriate for any reading children it is funniest to more experienced readers who can recognize the clichés that Alcatraz repeatedly tears down. The monologues at the beginning of the chapters were, in my opinion, the best part of the series.

This book is highly recommended as a light, quick read that will make you laugh out loud.

A review from a librarian..

With a name like Alcatraz verses The Evil Librarians and a cover with a dinosaur in a dress coat on it, I felt it was sure, tell tale sign that I was about to read the most ridicules, fanatical and amusing book of all times. And surprisingly, the book delivered. I will admit I had my doubts. Any book that seems to pin librarians or libraries as "evil" I tend to be cautious about, seeing as how I am a librarian. But I must own up to the fact that within the first few chapters I was hooked. I was downright amazed and loving each new plot twist and creative idea kept the pages turning and had me wanting to read more. I really love how Brandon Sanderson was able to take what most would label in our society as a weakness or problem and turn it into that person's strength. (He gave a whole new meaning to having a "super power") I also believed he did a nice job on bringing the voice or his characters in the book. Although, I believe, his long (and somewhat tedious) discourses towards the beginning of each chapter could have been cut down some. But his twists with the characters relationships and the perceived ideologies of how the word is were very refreshing. I love a good book that can start me thinking about how my world is and why things are the way they are. Not only was I starting to believe that the world had more land, countries, and technology then I originally knew I also felt like I was almost helping add to the cause of the villains every day I went to work. Yes I got that caught up in it. Although, word to the wise. Anyone who does not like Lemony Snicket's writing I would advise you find a different book, perhaps one about happy elves. There writing styles are much the same. But if you're a fan of Snicket's writing, then you're in for a real treat. In fact I might even venture to say that I enjoyed Sanderson's writing style more than Snicket's. Honestly, this book was refreshingly light and playful and a wonderful breath of fresh air that I found exhilarating and enthralling. Two thumbs way, way up.

LAUGH OUT LOUD GREATNESS!

You may or may not know it but you live in a world where Dinosaurs are very much alive (speaking with British accents), bad romance novels make vicious demon-like creatures, and things that we think are a curse or fault are actually a talent. With this laugh out loud series you will find that Evil Librarians are fighting to dominate the Earth and control the knowledge that is given to those of you who would actually be reading this very review. This book is written from the view of Alcatraz Smedry, an orphan who has been going home to home breaking things (doorknobs, windows, an occasional chicken) all along the way. He doesn't mean for these things to happen, of course, however they just happen. It isn't until an unusual elderly man appears claiming to be his long lost (or rather VERY late) Grandfather Smedry that Alcatraz comes to learn that his ability to break things is actually a talent. With this new knowledge Alcatraz embarks on an adventure to recover stolen sands from his local Evil Oculator. Sands that are key to making powerful magical glasses that if in the wrong hands could do very bad things! Adventure throughout, hilarious comments, random thoughts, this fast paced book is a great read for the young going through an awkward stage in life searching for acceptance or for those who are "young at heart" looking for one of those books where the author calls himself out on several things that readers have experienced. But be careful, as the story is "told" from Alcatraz Smedry, a 13 year old, it might do you well to think as a 13 year old boy would. Trust me on this one.

Better than Harry Potter or Percy Jackson

Brandon Sanderson is one of the best writers ever. He is an amazing adult sci-fi author and now he has delved into the child literature realm with amazing results. Alcatraz is loaded with outrageous characters, plots and subplots. Every minute spent in this book is fun, suspenseful and hilarious. The ideas in Brandon Sanderson's writings are so unique and you will never feel like this book is like anything else you've already read. My children loved this book and there were times that we were laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. The Evil Librarians are villains worthy of our hero and the author spends much of the book talking to the reader, describing the craft of telling stories in witty, fun blurbs.

Good read

This was a very entertaining book. The characters were funny, the plot was fairly exiting, and the general concept of the book was great. This book was so idiotic that I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next!

put alcatraz in ebook

like i said, love the book .

A creative idea with an okay result

Alcatraz is a young boy who is stuck in the foster system, moving from house to house because he has a way of somehow breaking something valuable at each home he visits. However, on his thirteenth birthday he receives a mysterious package containing a bag of sand, and his life takes an odd turn. Soon a man shows up in a self-driving car claiming to be Alcatraz's grandfather and wanting the sands - and Alcatraz - to come with him in a fight against...librarians? Only the sand has mysteriously disappeared. The story follows Alcatraz as he learns about the world as he knows it vs. reality.

This story feels at times as if it were written by a librarian for librarians. The author references the uselessness of librarian training, librarian's propensity for packing books so tightly on the shelves no one can get them out, and librarians seeking to control the world. Most of the jokes seem as if written to cause librarians to laugh at themselves. Does this translate to the young reader? Perhaps for some, but not for this reader.

I found myself mostly distracted by the narrator's constant asides to the reader. The author uses such an aside to start each chapter, usually trying to point out how hard it was to write this book or how lucky we are to have a copy or stressing he is not a hero. I found these parts of the text rather useless and they made me annoyed with the character. I would prefer the author had just let the story unfold (showing) without having Alcatraz constantly telling us about himself, his motives, his history, etc.

I enjoyed some of the clever language used in this book, and the characters were pretty well developed with interesting talents. Overall, though, I wasn't too entertained by the story.

My 12 year old son loved this book

He had read all 5 of the Percy Jackson series and appreciated books with a great sense of humor. He found it with this 1st book and was very excited to find that it too was part of a series. I sent him the 2nd book (he is away at camp) and have pre-ordered the 3rd. I can't wait to read it too!

Alcatraz

Sanderson, B. (2007). Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. New York: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN: 0439925525

After receiving a bag of sand from his long-lost family and being told he must leave his current foster family, Alcatraz goes on a wild adventure in which he must defeat the powerful evil librarians who control our culture. This novel, best for ten to thirteen-year-olds, includes enough humor and plot twists to engage and entertain its readers.

While many might think this book is best used solely to entertain, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians makes direct addresses to the reader that address cultural differences between the "hushlands" and the "free kingdoms" that will allow many students to view their own culture in a new way. The book also questions what is a hero. It turns a person's typically negative perceived tendencies such as being late or breaking almost anything one comes into contact with into the character's greatest gift or power.

One of my few cautions about this book is the prevalence of guns. While considered 'impractical' and 'primitive' by several of the characters, guns are still used often and without serious consequence throughout the story.

The book is also a meta-narrative in which Alcatraz mentions the way he has chosen to structure the story. This could contribute to a lesson on creating tension in a narrative, language choices in literature, literary techniques such as foreshadowing, and could encourage readers to write their own stories.

The story includes a lot of quirks-characters named for prison, talking dinosaurs and rutabaga. It also makes references to other children's books, including the Harry Potter series and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Overall, this is a fun and fast-paced book that makes for an amusing and engaging read. And of course, it's being turned into a series.



Activities to do with the book:

Teach about the nature of culture, the philosophies of Plato, power, heroes, etc. Also could incorporate into a lesson of how glass is manufactured.

Favorite Quotes:

"So, there I was, tied to an altar made from outdated encyclopedias, about to get sacrificed to the dark powers by a cult of evil Librarians" (p. 1).

"Would any decent, kindhearted individual become a writer? Of course not" (p. 167).

Page 308 (I'll say no more about that).

"That man, however, is a fantasy writer, and is therefore prone to useless bouts of delusion in literary form" (p. 309).

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com

A reviewer

Under the pen-name of Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarian was written. This great adventure novel is about Alcatraz Smedry, who is, as said in the book, Sanderson. Alcatraz Smedry is a 13-year-old boy who was left by his parents and at the beginning of the book is a foster child. He is no ordinary child because he has a tendency to ALWAYS break things, anything he touches. Living 12 years of this he receives a letter and, a bag of sand from his father that he has never seen in his life. About an hour after that, he sets on fire his foster family¿s kitchen, with this he is prepared to be taken to yet another family. Before this happens his grandfather suddenly appears, telling him that he needs to guard the sand and save the world by defeating the cult of evil librarians. But first is the sand, which would be molded and melted to make glasses. Glasses give an Occulator power, and if the sand that it is made out is more powerful the better. So because the sand was stolen and is not in his room they set out to find them at the local library. This adventure happens with Grandpa Smedry, Bastille 'knight of Smedry¿s', and 2 cousins. This adventure book is hilarious, the funniest book I ever read. The situation is the ridicules, and the characters are stupidly funny, but nether less it is a very good book.

Brilliantly Funny

Both kids and their parents will get a kick out of this 'biography' of Alcatraz Smedry, written under the pen name of Brandon Sanderson. This book has it all-foster homes, dinosaurs, magic, sword fighting, evil librarians, Plato, and dead dogs. Self-refferential and irreverently funny, I whole heartedly reccomend this book to anyone in the 9-14 age set (and to their parents as well!)

A reviewer

This was a really great read. I found myself laughing nearly every other pager. The characters were amazing and almost believable in this world of Hushlanders. Really liked it when the romcance novles were considered the 'bad henchmen.' Can't wait to read what Alcatraz promised near the end.

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