BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians. ( 2007). New York: Scholastic Press.
Synopsis:
Our hero, a young boy named Alcatraz has been an orphan since birth. We soon find out that he has been to 27 different foster homes in his short lifespan. But on his thirteenth birthday, he receives a bag of sand. Soon after, he meets a relative, Grandpa Smedry, who explains his Oculator heritage to him. Alcatraz soon discovers that there is a cult of evil Librarians who are taking over the world by spreading false information. He also learns that the bag of sand is valuable because that is what the Oculators use to create magically powerful glasses. These glasses will help them thwart the Librarians' evil plans.
My Impression of the Book:
As I read through the first three chapters, it took me awhile to get used to the writing style. The story begins with the narrator/Alcatraz's voice, speaking in the past tense. Then it switches to to present tense, and uses the external dialog from the other characters. I thought I would get used to this as the story progressed. Also, I wanted more character development in the beginning. Perhaps I had too many other things on my mind when I read the book, but I simply had a difficult time relating to the characters. For some reason, my mind would drift when they introduced another Prison-named character. I would try to think of where that prison is located.
The story was very reminiscent of the Harry Potter books, in that, the character, plot, theme (orphan being rescued by caring relative), and other worldly setting were very similar.
While the writing style and pacing was distracting, I admit that I was fascinated by a world controlled by librarians. Just the concept is hilarious, and yet intriguing. Perhaps my pursuit of becoming a professional librarian has its perks.
Uses Within a Library Environment:
Despite the fact that I was disappointed with the book, I do think this book would be an excellent theme for a Librarian party. If the library wanted to hold a gala (do libraries hold galas?), or some kind of library centric celebration, they could certainly draw from some of the fun aspects of this book. For instance, that all librarians wear thick, black rimmed glasses.
Also, my favorite quote from the book could be taken and made into an event:
“You see, Librarian apprentices have plenty of time to practice things that are ridiculous. They really only have three duties: First, to learn the incredibly and needlessly complicated filing system used to catalog books in the back library stacks. Second, to practice with the book-hooks. Third, to plot ways to torture an innocent person.”
Awards and Reviews:
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“This is an excellent choice to read aloud to the whole family. It's funny, exciting, and briskly paced. Best of all, the message it gives young readers is that a person's flaws—being late, breaking things, etc.—can sometimes turn into useful talents.”--NPR (www.npr.org)
“A happily action-packed romp, with just the right amount of repartee between Alcatraz and his cantankerous teenage protector Bastille, and a cliffhanger ending that promises more of the same. Plus dinosaurs in tweed vests. Who could ask for more? “--Horn Book
“In this original, hysterical homage to fantasy literature, Sanderson's first novel for youth recalls the best in Artemis Fowl and A Series of Unfortunate Events. The humor, although broad enough to engage preteens, is also sneakily aimed at adults. Readers are indeed tortured, with quirky, seemingly incompetent heroes; dastardly villains fond of torture; cars that drive themselves; nontop action; and cliffhanger chapter endings. And as soon as they finish the last wickedly clever page, they will be standing in line for more from this seasoned author of such adult-marketed titles as Elantris.” --VOYA
“The conventional trappings of the middle-school fantasy get turned upside down in this zany novel. the adventures [are] engaging, as well as silly. Readers who prefer fantasy with plenty of humor should enjoy entering Alcatraz's strange but amusing world.” --School Library Journal
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