This was the first Brandon Sanderson MG book I read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's witty, fast paced, and action packed.
I loved the characters and the style of writing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Reader’s Notes:

– this originally released in 2007, but has been updated and rereleased

– this is told from 13-year-old Alcatraz’s point of view

– this is book one of a series

Review:

This is my first Brandon Sanderson book and I loved it! I enjoyed reading the story as if it was being narrated by Alcatraz. Which meant it included: random comments on what happened/was going to happen, a bit of unreliability on if what he was saying was true, as well as humorous sarcastic comments on what he was learning about the world around him. I also really liked how each Smedry has their own special Talent (I thought of them as powers) and that they were so odd yet it still worked! It made everything a little extra entertaining with Grandpa Smedry being odd and nonchalant about different things that people should freak out about. But not him, no, he’d even greet the situation with a smile! I also enjoyed looking at the different pictures included alongside the story. It helped me better picture some of the different characters and what everything looked like.

Alcatraz Smedry is an orphan who has been bounced from foster home to foster home due to having a talent for accidentally breaking things. He thought that his parents only left him his name, but on his 13th birthday, he finds a package in the mail addressed to him. And in it is a bag of sand. Talk about weird parents, first the name and now a worthless inheritance.

Or maybe not so worthless? The sand is stolen by evil librarians (at least that’s what a man claiming to be Grandpa Smedry tells Alcatraz) and they need to get the sands back. Using special colored glasses, Grandpa Smedry, Alcatraz, two cousins, and a girl are able to follow the trail through the downtown library.

But what is so important about these sands? Why hasn’t Alcatraz heard of a grandfather before? And what’s with these glasses? Find out in the adventure that is Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians!

The original book came out in 2007 and is getting a rerelease with some illustrations from Hayley Lazo.

Alcatraz has grown up in different foster homes since he was little. He never gets to stay long since he has an affinity to break things. Things change however when on the day of his 13th. birthday he gets a a bag of sand and the next day suddenly his never heard of grandpa appears. From there on out Alcatraz is thrown in a huge adventure.
The book was all in all quick and fun and illustrations were a great addition to the story. There is a great Family aspect and some funny scenes. Alcatraz was not the most likable character for me and I found it quite annoying at times how he kept repeating that he was not good. Some of the side characters were quit interesting and funny, although not always my taste in humor.
I would still recommend it to kids as it is a fast and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

One of the best (if not THE BEST) Middle-Grade novel I've ever read! It had me laughing, crying, and cheering for Alcatraz as he takes on the evil librarians.

This book has become a classic in our home with my children often referring to aspects of the book that they found particularly delightful! For example, "why do all authors hate dogs?" and "I don't want to read it, it has a Newberry Award on the cover" -- If you have no idea what I'm talking about that just go read Alcatraz VS. the Evil Librarians. You won't regret it. ;)

Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians is a middle grade book by Brandon Sanderson. I find myself constantly blown away by this author’s ability to really understand his audience and really understand his characters. This is a middle grade book that doesn’t talk down to its audience or assume they can’t understand things. I found it incredibly witty and laugh out loud funny.

Alcatraz is a main character that a lot of middle graders will relate to while reading this book. He isn’t perfect and actually has an uncanny ability of really messing things up. He has been tossed around from foster home to foster home throughout his life. His life almost feels like a joke with the cherry on the top being the gift he receives from his parents as his inheritance on his thirteenth birthday-a bag of sand. However, Alcatraz soon discovers that it is no ordinary bag of sand and Alcatraz is no ordinary boy. He embarks on an adventure to save the world from the true threat-evil librarians.

I loved the way Alcatraz broke the fourth wall in this book and spoke directly to the reader. It helped to really understand him as a character. The side characters in this book are charming and there is enough of a mystery to keep the plot flowing nicely. I think this is a perfect book for any middle grade reader. As well as any adult who enjoys middle grade. Those two are not always mutually exclusive but in this case, they are. Brandon Sanderson can write an engaging book for any audience as he proves time and time again that he is a master of his craft. I look forward to purchasing this book when it is rereleased with the new cover.

Charming narrator with a voice similar to the phantom tollbooth or Lemony Snicket. A fun magical world revealed at a good pace. Easy to read and keeps you reading.

I really like the realization made around being in the foster care system and how it impacted that character and their behavior. I also enjoyed little jokes around reading, librarians, etc that I feel most readers would find amusing.

This was my first read of Brandon Sanderson’s work and I’m open to reading more after enjoying this read.

Whip smart and darkly funny, if you love A Series of Unfortunate Events than this is the book for you!

A self aware book that takes time to explain writing techniques and word play in a way that's not condescending to its young audience. Alcatraz Vs. the Evil Librarians is a fun romp through fiction and libraries.

Full of found family and action to hook even the most reluctant readers this book was such a fun time! The writing was fantastic and so descriptive that I couldn't help but imagine Jack Black as Grandpa Smedry.

I also want to take the opportunity to highlight the brilliant illustrations by Hayley Lazo.

A fun book that will thrill audiences of all ages, I'll definitely continue on with this series!

3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Witty and action-packed, I'm so glad this series is getting re-released! Alcatraz and his expanded family battle Librarians. The word-play and morality growth were unexpectedly snuck into the story, giving it a lively feel withoit pandering to kids

Definitely will recommend ordering for elementary/middle school libraries

4.4/5

For fans of
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket
Percy Jackson series - Rick Riordan
Mysterious Benedict Society series - Trenton Lee Stewart
The Great Library series - Rachel Caine

Alcatraz always thought he was a normal boy, although he has always been good at breaking things. Being parentless, he has lived in different foster homes, until one day he gets a bag of sand claiming it is the inheritance his parents left him. However, the bag is stolen and he is swept into the world of Oculators alongside his grandfather.

Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians was a very fun and exciting read! I really enjoyed Al's character development throughout the story and how he took in every new scenario thrown at him. The beginning felt a bit rushed and confusing, but Al was just as confused as us. It is a pretty light adventure and the action scenes were very fun to read. The world building was imaginative and it was a good first book to set the foundation for the future books.

Thank you, Tor/Forge for approving my NetGalley request for Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians! This is the very first Brandon Sanderson book I’ve ever read and I was so pumped for this opportunity and not at all let down! Right off the bat, Sanderson breaks the fourth wall as Alcatraz writing his autobiography and directs his narration to the reader, which is admittedly a literary (a cinematic) device that I absolutely love! His author’s forward is hilarious and hooked me right into the story. Alcatraz’s self-admitted not nice-ness very much reminds me of Artemis Fowl, but instead of a criminal, Alcatraz is an accidental hero who is self-conscious and self-deprecating at every turn. He is also quite full of humor!

While the title of this book seems juvenile, very big issues are addressed in the text. Sanderson hits on xenocentrism, xenophobia, low self-esteem, and lack/loss of family. Alcatraz’s low self-esteem and self sabotage are wholly relatable. But while Alcatraz is learning about himself and what kind of person he is and wants to be, Sanderson takes hilarious asides to address the plot, writing, and literary techniques, bringing this novel of self-discovery to a whole new level of meta.

All-in-all, Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians is 5 stars and I will definitely keep up with the series!

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians was a book I went into with high hopes and came out of thoroughly entertained, though not blown away.

We meet Alcatraz, a young boy just turning 13 who is in the foster care system. He finds out he has family and he has a gift and he finds out he has to outsmart the librarians.

I really enjoyed the narration and the fact that Alcatraz himself tells you his story. It adds a funny and entertaining quality, though I did struggle with it sometimes. Alcatraz as a narrator doesn't seem to take himself very seriously and repeats certain points he makes in his narration several times.

The storyline was very unique and one I'm curious to see develop. I loved the idea of Evil Librarians, glasses that have superpowers and even talking dinosaurs. However, I thought the writing itself had a few lulls in it, causing me to loose interest in the story ever so slightly.

I'd definitely give this book to someone it was actually meant for (and not a 22-year-old like myself who's read far too much fantasy) to actually see how it might be enjoyed. Even though it was an entertaining book, it wasn't my cup of tea.

I tried my best to read this, but at the point where I'm stopping (page 130), I am enjoying the book. It doesn't feel too young for me and the story has the potential to be quite fun. The one thing I can't overlook that's driving me up the wall is the breaking of the third wall. I swear if I have to read one more word where he does that I'll throw my phone at the wall. I don't mind a character reflecting back on their decisions since this is a story where they tell us their life story. I just can't stand that I'm being spoken to directly every other page. I'ts taking me out of the story each time that happens and I can't in good conscience continue reading this just to end up giving it a bad rating. I am not the reader for this book and I fully accept that. Sorry for wasting a perfectly good arc.

I am a Librarian so I naturally was drawn to this book. It has a little bit of something for everyone. Mystery, drama, fantasy, humor, and adventure! When Alcatraz, a foster child, turns thirteen he receives his inheritance from his mom and dad. It turns out to be so much more and sets off a chain of events that you wouldn't expect. Highly recommend for all ages!

Thank you to Brandon Sanderson, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Starscape, and NetGalley for this free arc for an honest review of 'Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians.'

I madly love Alcatraz, and the Alcatraz series, so when I saw the rebranding copy pop up, I absolutely had to jump at this chance (and I might have even SQUEELED when I was approved for this arc).

This book is an adorable little romp that very much is a cross between Lemony Snicket, Super Heroes, and Alternative History. I can definitely see where the pov voice for the main character Steelheart started being born out of Alcatraz here. I, also, live for the meta on storytelling (as our narrator is telling everything from just beyond the space of the 5th book, foreshadowing the whole way through this book and on to there), the insults about Brandon Sanderson's books/the author himself, and tiny digs at Harry Potter. I just LOVE it so much.

As the rebranding came with new art, I absolutely cannot skimp on this either. The new cover is absolutely gorgeous, spooky, and intriguing. Alcatraz looks like a boy hero is, Bastille is properly fierce-looking, Lord Smerdy looks the perfect half mad-crackpot, half magical-quest granter, and the Librarian (overlords) over it are creepily evil. The interior art is A DREAM. I kept grinning and gasping and making adorable, terrible noises one saves for baby animals at each new picture of the characters and events.


#alcatrazvstheevillibrarians #NetGalley

I was so excited to read this book. The cover is perfect, the description was intriguing. It sounded like something that my students would absolutely love! And a few of them probably would but overall it is just so much to get through. I found myself skim reading a majority of the pages because the narrator is reexplaining things over and over.

The cons: I didn't love the complete attack on all librarians and America. I agree with what others said, that an evil faction would have been much more enjoyable while not putting ideas in the kids heads. The overabundance of descriptions was just to much. My middle schoolers would lose interest.

The pros: I did love the story line! I think it is a very fun idea. As someone who lives for sarcasm, I found it to be quite funny. I thought is was amusing that their "talents" are things we usually would not think of as a good thing. It puts a lovely spin on them. The illustrations are fantastic!

This book had a lot of potential and the mystery/adventure parts are well done. I had trouble liking the main character - mostly because of his sarcastic and cynical narration. After a while I got tired of his telling me he was not a good person (even though there is practically no evidence to back that up). I also really didn't like the message to young readers that librarians are all evil and teaching them lies about the world and that they should never accept a reading recommendation from an adult because all books they suggest are boring. As an educator this is just not what I want kids thinking about school and libraries. The story could have worked just as well by saying there was a faction of evil librarians, but others were just normal people. The ending had me annoyed too - Alcatraz has just returned to his foster parents and immediately is dragged back out on another adventure again leaving these people with no idea where he will be going. The twist involving Alcatraz's mother also came a little out of left field but I am curious as to how that plays out in future books for the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this book for the new cover release!

“So, there I was, tied to an altar made from outdated encyclopedias, about to get sacrificed to the dark powers by a cult of evil Librarians.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

How can somebody not instantly love a book that starts out like that?

The POV is something I have never read before, especially not in a middle grade book. The author tells the story mostly in first person but also interjects with author notes. The author notes are sometimes used to add humor, point out foreshadowing, and in general find a funny way to express how important reading is. As a middle grade book this is amazing for kids to be explained why some of the important moments they are reading about are important. It was also just genuinely funny and increased the pace of the plot.

Alcatraz is an orphan who causes problems everywhere he goes by breaking things. He has an unexplainable special talent for it and this has caused him to live in many different foster homes. On his 13th birthday his entire world is altered and drastically changes paths. Alcatraz find a whole new side to the world and begins an adventure that tests his confidence, trust, as well as forces him to face some of his biggest insecurities.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians is a 2007 middle grade written by famed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson.
I was lucky enough to be able to preview an illustrated ARC of the re-release, due out on May 3rd by Starscape publishing.
My 1st impression of this book was a Lemony Snicket vibe, with its witty tragic characters stumbling into adventures most unwillingly. As I continued to read, I then felt nostalgic from the Harry Potter-ish scenes emanating from the pages; however, this book stands out from Snickets and Potter in the way that it is witty, sarcastic and quirky all rolled up in a neat 320 pages of fun and hilarity.
Alcartraz versus the Evil Librarians Follows the story of 13-year-old Alcartraz Smedry an orphan who is a walking disaster, where everything he lays his hands on ends up broken.
On Al's 13th birthday, we find him being sent away from yet another foster family and is set to be picked up by the orphanage when instead a very strange old man stating he is Al's grandfather arrives to take him away to continue the family quest of looking for a powerful item known as The Sands of Rashid and to keep it out of the hands of the evil librarians who want to use it to take over the world.
This book is so funny and is filled with delightful characters, some whom I couldn't help but compared to similar more well-known characters such as Potter, the Baudelaire orphans and Artemis fowl's Butler.
Even with these similarities, I found this a super fun and fast adventure which was devoured in a single sitting. I will be recommending this to everyone and anyone who like, loves or even only occasionally reads, it's a great start to what I'm hoping will be a great series. I can't wait to pick up book two!

I was looking to read books published in 2022 for our state book award - disappointing that this book was actually published in 2016.

I enjoyed the humor and sarcasm of the main character/narrator. The action was second to the running monologue about the two different worlds.

I was given an advanced copy of this rerelease by NetGalley. I enjoyed this Sanderson book. It wasn’t my favorite series opener from him, but it left me curious enough to want to continue on with the series.