Author: Brandon Sanderson
Title: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Publication Info: Scholastic Paperbacks (2008)
ISBN: 9780545024938
Summary/Review: Another audiobook I downloaded based on title alone from the public library and one that shows that Young Adult literature is far ahead of grown up fiction for imagination and creativity. Alcatraz Smedry is a teenage orphan with a talent for breaking things who learns that he is from a heroic lineage and must rescue his inheritance – a band of sand – from the hands of the evil librarians who secretly control the world. The deadpan delivery of Alcatraz’s satirical narrative is greatly enhanced by reader Charlie McWade. I found it a hilarious send-up of fantasy/sci-fi conventions yet at the same time sneakily getting a few messages in as well. If you don’t like at first, at least stick around for the dinosaurs.
(Looking at Library Thing, I’m amused that many of the reviews are by librarians. Most of us like it. Don’t tell the evil librarian in charge.)
Recommended Books: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins.
Rating: ****
