November 2024’s newsletter: Series Recommendation of Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians
Librarians are lying to you.
(Sorry, Heidi. I’m sure you’re not in on the conspiracy.)
They don’t want you to read “Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians” by Alcatraz Smedry (under the identity of Brandon Sanderson): an action-packed middle grade, adventure, 5-book series. If you do read it, they’ll convince you it’s fantasy. Fiction.
But in reality, it’s a nonfiction autobiography. Alcatraz recalls the historical events of the Smedry family’s valiant fight against the evil librarians’ world-wide cult, as it actually happened.
But is the truth worth the danger? Continue reading this series recommendation and see for yourself.
Summary
Bad luck follows foster child Alcatraz everywhere. He’s talented at breaking things, whether he wants to or not. On his thirteenth birthday, he receives his only inheritance from his seemingly deceased father: a bag of sand. Yay.
Except an evil librarian cult is after that bag of sand, and soon Alcatraz finds himself on a wild, wacky journey to retrieve it. Alongside his long-lost grandfather, the young and prickly knight Bastille, and a number of his cousins, Alcatraz will enter a world of Talents, Occulators, and malicious librarians in this fast paced adventure.
Alcatraz is Hilarious
Seriously, this series is a riot.
And it’s got humor for all ages. There are jokes for the middle grade reader, and ones clearly aimed towards older audiences. If anything, adults might get even more out of it since we understand all his references.
I think this is a sign of a great middle grade story. As C.S. Lewis said:
“A child’s story that can only be enjoyed by children isn’t a good children’s story in the slightest.”
We see this again and again in all forms of media. “The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe,” “Bluey,” “Percy Jackson and the Olmpians.”
And, “Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians.”
Alcatraz’s Narration
One of the series’ funniest parts is its narration.
The framing device is that grown-up Alcatraz is relaying his own adventure with the hindsight of a cynical adult. People have heralded him a hero, but he’s “setting history right.”
So we get a very Lemony-snicket narration that breaks the fourth wall at every chapter’s beginning. (And often multiple times throughout each chapter.)
He takes frequent shots at authors– especially Brandon himself– and goes off on absolutely wild sidetracks and jokes. However, many of the weird jokes that seem just for fun come back later in the series. For example: kittens are terrifying. (Yes, that’s a real running joke. And yes, it becomes plot relevant.) The trick is figuring out which jokes have meaning and which are just silly.
In addition, the narration also reflects the lessons learned in each book.
Alcatraz’s adult narrator is desperately trying to convince the readers to dislike him. (This guy needs therapy.) And in each book, he uses a different method to convince us. He’s a coward, he’s a bad person, he’s stupid, etc.
If you pay close attention, each method reflects the hard-won lessons his child self learns in that book. For example, book 1 tries to convince us he’s a bad person, and his child self learns how to care for others and be a better person. In book 4, he claims he’s stupid, and meanwhile his child self runs head-first into dangerous situations without thinking.
This series is hilarious, but you’ll find it also has many deep layers once you start analyzing.
Teaching Kids Philosophy Through Fun
A central theme of this series is freedom of information and thought, and the necessity for reading escapist fantasy. The evil librarian cult wants to control everything people think and believe. Therefore, they must control everything we read. If we start reading fantastical stories and escaping the reality they set for us, then we can escape their control.That’s already a deep message for a kid’s book. But Alcatraz goes a step further. He also introduces kids to philosophers. Grown-up Alcatraz uses philosophy to discuss the book’s themes, and the nature of a hero. (Of course, he’s using it to convince us he’s not a hero.) Whatever his reasoning, his discussions trick kids into learning while also having fun.
Analyzing Alcatraz and His Family
(Spoilers ahead. Skip this section to avoid them.)
We’ve got to start off with the main heroes: Alcatraz and Bastille.
They make a well-balanced duo, both in personality and ability. Bastille is a physical fighter, while Alcatraz is a strategist and Occulator. (Occulator = magic person.) Bastille is determined and tough, Alcatraz is friendly and quick-witted. It’s fun to watch their relationship develop as they learn to trust and work with each other.
Alcatraz’s grandfather– Grandpa Smedry– is a fascinating character. He’s wild and wacky, but also one of the most reasonable adults. He’s the trusted mentor who Alcatraz can go to when the boy needs advice or help. He also always does his best to protect the kids without making them feel incapable. It’s telling that Alcatraz’s darkest moments come when Grandpa Smedry isn’t around.As for Alcatraz’s parents… I HATE them. His mother is a typical abusive parent; sure, she left him to protect the world, but that doesn’t excuse her verbal abuse. She claims everything she does is to make him “stronger,” which is a standard abusive excuse. “It’s for your own good.” Ugh. And when they do meet, she expects his obedience despite the fact that she lost the right the moment she abused him. As for his father, he’s neglectful and hugely egotistical. He only wants Alcatraz around when it benefits him, not his son. Thank goodness Alcatraz has Grandpa Smedry in his life.
A Unique Twist on a Classic Setting
Ah yes, the hidden magic world. A classic middle grade fantasy setting. There’s nothing like discovering magic is real, and you’re an important part of it. It makes the readers feel like magic is possible in their lives too. They could be the hero.
And yet, this world also has plenty of unique twists on the classic setting. Yes there is a fantasy world existing alongside our own, but the conspiracy keeping it hidden isn’t for anyone’s protection, as in other books. It’s evil. The evil librarians have hidden magic from us to keep us under control.
The fantasy world isn’t pure magic, either. It mixes sci-fi and magic in its technology, creating a unique magic system. (Which I’ll get to in a moment.)
The world is also… plain weird. Airplanes in the shapes of birds. Magical glasses. A family with odd but strangely useful talents. You’ll have to read it to believe it. (So get reading!)
Time to Talk About That Magic System!
It’s a Brandon Sanderson series, so you know the magic is going to be well thought out.
All magic runs on glass. And throughout the series, we learn more and more about the history of magic glass and where all its power comes from. Clearly Brandon has the whole system meticulously planned.
As the heroes learn more, we see all the “unrelated” pieces of magic are connected: the Occulators, the Smedry Talents, the librarians, everything. We learn its history and piece it all together alongside Alcatraz.
Deconstruction and Reconstruction of the Child Hero
This series’ take on the child hero archetype is fascinating.
In the fantasy world’s society, people value rank above age. That means thirteen-year-olds are put in charge of life-or-death situations. We’re used to this happening in middle grade and young adult novels, but we rarely see realistic consequences.
Alcatraz is a child dealing with war. He’s brilliant, but he’s still naive and inexperienced. That leads him to make mistakes. And then he’s too young to deal with the weight of his choices. And he SHOULDN’T HAVE TO.
The narration reveals to us the consequences of his trauma. He becomes a self-loathing adult. He’s emotionally damaged, even years or decades later. He was put through so much pain and hardship at a young age, he can’t see the good in him or remember the good he achieved. All he remembers are the mistakes and the bad decisions. After all that terrible responsibility, all he’s left with is the guilt.
So yeah, that seems pretty depressing. (I swear, the series is funny!) Now you may be asking: “But where’s the reconstruction? Didn’t you say the series also reconstructs the child hero archetype?”
I did!
The reconstruction comes in the final book: “Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians,” from Bastille’s point of view.
Alcatraz and Bastille aren’t perfect people. They don’t save everyone and everything. Mistakes are made, and some things are lost and can’t be fixed.
But they stood up and tried. Even when things are hopeless and Alcatraz is at his lowest low, they help each other piece themselves back together. They keep going. And that’s what matters.
Grown-up Alcatraz is still too hurt to see the good in himself, but we the readers know what he did mattered. He was a hero.
So… Are You Interested in Reading?
Man I love this series.
So much.
If you know a middle schooler who enjoys reading, definitely recommend this series. And while you’re at it, read it yourself. It’s worth it.
Also, don’t forget to read the author’s forward and afterward. You’ll thank me.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any retaliation you may receive from the evil librarians upon reading this series. The truth is worth the risk.
Thanks for reading!
-S. Labrecque
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