"Playful" is a word that comes to mind when describing this book. The narrator plays with literary conventions in a very postmodern fashion (apologizing for a cliffhanger chapter ending, informing you that he's about to editorialize) and the whole concept is very playful (a bunch of people with superpowers such as breaking things, tripping, and being late).

I didn't enjoy being referred to as "evil" every few pages (I'm a librarian), but I otherwise highly recommend this book. ( )

Alcatraz breaks things without trying, and is moved from one foster home to another. On his 13th birthday, he receives a box of sand as a gift. It is stolen. The next day a man claiming to be his grandfather shows up at the door and they set off on a quest to recover the sands and save the free world from the librarians who hoard all knowledge. ( )

Very goofy, and lots of fun! A great alternate reality, too. ( )

Fun, fast written story. Don't like the way Alcatraz is talking to the reader though. Little bit smug and too happy with himself. Very original world. ( )

When Alcatraz Smedry receives a bag of sand for this thirteenth birthday, he finds himself thrust into a word of evil Librarians and noble Oculators.

This was a lot of fun. The story moves quickly, dragging the reader along as Alcatraz meets his grandfather, learns what his bag of sand is good for, and launches an epic rescue mission straight into the heart of the Librarian stronghold. The whole thing is bizarre enough to keep any young reader entertained/confused/exasperated/wanting more. It's certainly not a nice book, (as Alcatraz frequently reminds us), but it should appeal to fans of Lemony Snicket, Jonathan Stroud and others who've crafted entertaining stories about horrible occurrences and less than admirable characters.

There's a fair amount of postmodernism here, too. Alcatraz frequently comments on storytelling as he relates his own strange tale. As a result, I think this would be most suitable for young readers who've already got a fairly good grasp of how books work and are familiar with some literary conventions. Newer readers probably wouldn't get as much out of this simply because they won't know what it's parodying. They may, however, find the humour enough to carry them through.

Definitely recommended. And read some of Brandon's adult stuff while you're at it! ( )