We are currently reading it to my boys for their bedtime book and they enjoy it as well. You have to be able to handle a sarcastic teenager first person voice though. If that drives you nuts, then don't bother reading the book. ( )

This series improved on this title, with the first being a good read. As an evil librarian, should I say that? Check it out for some good laughs, and remember that Alcatraz is a liar... you can believe him. ( )

It wasn't too long ago that I read Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians, the first installment of the planned five-book autobiography of Alcatraz Smedry. Of course, you won't find these book in the non-fiction section of the library, but this is all a part of the Librarians' plot to discredit them. The books have even been published under the name of fantasy author Brandon Sanderson to add to the confusion. I enjoyed Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians immensely and knew that I would need to read the next book, Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones. (Just, please don't tell anyone--as an evil librarian, I could probably get in a lot of trouble for this.)

Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones picks up shortly after the first book in the series. Alcatraz is trying to meet up with his grandfather in order to leave the Hushlands and finally visit the Free Kingdoms himself. But, as usual when Smedrys are involved, things don't quite go as planned. The Librarians are still after Alcatraz--in particular his pair of rare and powerful Translator's lenses--and are beginning to become so desperate that they will even work with another, darker Librarian sect, the Scrivener's Bones. It's not too surprising then that the meet-up doesn't happen--especially considering Grandpa Smedry's Talent for arriving late. Alcatraz's exceptional Talent for breaking things doesn't always help, either. Soon it turns into a rescue mission. Joining forces with his newly discovered uncle and cousin (both with their own unique Talents), and aided by the Crystin Knights, Alcatraz journeys to the very dangerous Great Library of Alexandria in search of his grandfather and Attica Smedry--the father who he's never met.

If you didn't enjoy Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians you probably won't enjoy Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones as it continues in very much the same vein. The humor is just as snarky, the storytelling just as random, and the plot just as wild. I absolutely loved it, but it is definitely not for everyone. A few of the tangents in Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones didn't seem to work as well, but overall the book is a strong follow-up to Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians and perhaps slightly less goofy and more mature while still being a load of fun. And the continued world-building is fantastic.

Since the Alcatraz books are aimed at a younger audience (well, ages 9-99 according to Sanderson's website), the writing style isn't terribly complex and they're not incredibly long, either. Understandably, they make for pretty quick reads. Some references are probably more likely to be picked up on by older readers, but there is still plenty of material for everyone to enjoy. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment of the series. I know that these will be books that I return to again when I need a fun, quick, pick-me-up sort of read. And since the second book was as good as the first (which can be tricky), I expect and hope that the rest of the series continues the trend. The only problem now is that I'll have to wait for the rest of the books to be published.

Experiments in Reading ( )

Sanderson, B. (2008). Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones. New York: Scholastic
Press.

0439925533

So I know I reviewed the first Alcatraz book a few weeks ago, but what can I say, I enjoyed it. So here’s the second book. This time around, Alcatraz must search for his father and grandfather in the great Library of Alexandria (turns out it wasn’t destroyed, just moved. It’s a conspiracy).

While I will admit to loving this fantasy/science fiction series, I have a very small bone to pick with the titles. While the ‘versus’ technique is cute on one hand, it always places Alcatraz in opposition. But on the other hand, opposition creates tension and tension helps make for a good read. But on the other hand, in a binary infested world do we really need more binaries. Hmmm. That’s enough rambling and too many hands.

Now lets move on to the opening sentence. The “So, there I was,” phrasing is used in both books multiple times. This could turn into a fun writing exercise to do with students—Have them create their own stories beginning with “So, there I was….”

Once again, Sanderson includes the use of guns and violence in the book with no serious consequences. (however there is a repeated promise of death to the character, Bastille) On the plus side though, Sanderson maintains the strength of his enjoyable and humorous meta-narrative that explores the conditions of leadership and heroism. I made be forced to add him to the short list of authors that I would marry no questions asked. (This is a big deal, guys! This is a very short list and Sanderson just might get his name put on it).

Activities to do with the book:

Along with considering discussions of how to construct a tense and drama –filled narrative, students can also discuss if Alcatraz is a trustworthy narrator.
Another discussion would be to consider the way Western culture is viewed in the Alcatraz books. A reader can feel like an anthropologist, examining their own culture.

Overall, Alcatraz’s sarcastic voice could manage to entice many struggling readers. If that is the case, it’s important to maintain the sense of fun inherent in this series.

Favorite Quotes:

“You think you know me. You’ve listened to the storytellers. You’ve talked with your friends about my exploits. You’ve read history books and heard the criers tell of my heroic deeds. The trouble is, the only people who are bigger liars than myself are the people who like to talk about me” (Foreword).

For some reason, the more powerful a pair of Oculatory Lenses is, the less cool they tend to look. I’m developing a theory about it—the Law of Disproportional Lameness.)” (p. 2).

“I feel I need to break the action here to warn you that I frequently break the action to mention trivial things” (p. 7).

FOR MORE OF MY REVIEWS, VISIT sjkessel.blogspot.com

Another great book about Alcatraz and his talented family. This time they must deal with a pursuing Librarian while trying to find Alcatraz's father and grandfather. Plenty of little witty passages and full of entertainment. ( )