Module 8a – Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

1. Citation – Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians. Scholastic Press (New York). c2007. (9780439925501) 308 p.
   
2. Summary – Alcatraz is a young boy who is about to stumble into a whole new world. He has no parents, and has been sent to numerous foster homes to live. Each one will put up with him until his clumsiness goes one step too far, and a major catastrophe ensues. When he turns thirteen, he receives a strange packet in the mail, and his adventure begins. A man claiming to be his grandfather shows up, and then his world is turned upside down. With this meeting, Alcatraz learns about his family, his "talent", and that the world around him is not as it seems. He joins his grandfather and cousin in a wacky adventure to fight the evil librarians and retrieve the sands that were stolen from him.
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book is a lot of fun to read. Because it is written in the first person, Alcatraz has numerous asides that had me laughing out loud. At one point, he goes on a tirade about the fact that "good" books (according to librarians and adults) must include the death of a pet or a parent, or both. He further suggests to the reader that should an adult or especially a librarian offer to help you find a "good" book, you should run away as fast as you can. The plot is fun, quirky and very fast paced. This was a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more (because, of course, there's a cliffhanger!)
   
4. Reviews – by Shel Julian Kessel (S.J. Kessel) retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   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. – S.J. Kessel
   

5. Use in a library setting – This book would work for upper elementary students, especially those who don't feel they fit in. It is a perfect book to include in a sci-fi/fantasy booktalk with 4^th and 5^th graders.