Alcatraz #2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones [Mass Market Paperback]

Brandon Sanderson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Alcatraz

The Evil Librarians are up to their antics again!

Alcatraz Smedry has an incredible talent . . . for breaking things! It generally gets him into a lot of trouble, but can he use it to save the day? In this second Alcatraz adventure, our hero finds himself swept up by a glass dragon headed to the ancient Library of Alexandria (which some silly people think was long-ago destroyed!) to look for clues leading to Alcatraz's dead father who might not be dead afterall! They must also battle the creepy, soul-sucking curators who await them . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–9—Alcatraz Smedry is back, and the action is just as nonstop, the librarians are just as evil, and the quips and asides (and outright lies) that the author insists on inflicting upon readers are just as omnipresent. Fortunately for the fans of Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Scholastic, 2007), these are all good things. On the run from a Scrivener's Bone, a half-human, half-machine assassin that has been sent to retrieve the Translator's Lenses that Alcatraz stole in the first book, the boy receives word that his father is in mortal danger in the Library of Alexandria. He and a crew of quirky relatives with odd but very useful Talents mount a daring and completely ludicrous rescue. Though some readers may find the author's non sequiturs and frequent interruptions in the narrative off-putting, those who enjoy their fantasy with a healthy dose of slapstick humor will be delighted. Give this novel to fans of Eoin Colfer's "Artemis Fowl" (Hyperion/Miramax) and Catherine Jinks's Cadel Piggott in Evil Genius (Harcourt, 2007). They will appreciate Sanderson's cheerful sarcastic wit and none-too-subtle digs at librarians.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Brandon Sanderson is the author of the Mistborn trilogy and Elantris, which Orson Scott Card called "the finest novel of fantasy to be written in many years." The Alcatraz series is Brandon's first series for kids. He writes and plays with swords in Provo, Utah.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; Reprint edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439925541
• ISBN-13: 978-0439925549
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm Brandon Sanderson, and I write epic fantasy novels for Tor Books. The sixth novel I wrote, ELANTRIS, was my first published, and I followed this up with the Mistborn trilogy and WARBREAKER. I was also chosen to complete Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series based on his notes, resulting in THE GATHERING STORM, TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT, and A MEMORY OF LIGHT. I'm now launching my own grand epic that I've wanted to tell for many years, starting with THE WAY OF KINGS on August 31, 2010.

Read an excerpt here: http://tor.com/wok

More sample chapters from all of my books are available at http://brandonsanderson.com/library -- and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why are you reading Stephanie Meyer when you can have Alcatraz?, October 14, 2008

By 

Karra (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcatraz #2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (Hardcover)

I have only two issues with Brandon Sanderson. Firstly, he should stop everything else he is doing and write more Alcatraz books. I like his adult fantasy, don't get me wrong, and I'm super excited about his finishing the Wheel of Time, but Alcatraz is better. Waaaay better. Someone with this kind of writing style and sense of humor should be writing young adult books. If you can get that many philosophy jokes into a book designed for 8-11 year olds effectively, and make it so darn funny that 35 year olds are checking for a sequel release date daily, you need to focus on them. These books are just a really really smart guy playing. He's doing the things he can't do with 'real' fiction, and I want MORE of it. It is perfectly designed, magnificently executed, and quite frankly the funniest books I've ever read. (including Christopher Moore- and that's saying a lot) The sequel, although not quite as good as the first book, is still the kind of book you annoy other people endlessly while reading. You MUST read these books.

The only other issue that I have is that the covers for the Paperback Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians, and The Scrivener's Bones are atrocious. They do not at all represent the nature of the books. As a bookseller who is constantly trying to hand-sell these books, the covers are not helping me. Please get a new illustrator.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Zany fun with Alcatraz and his crazy family, October 9, 2008

By 

Storylover (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alcatraz #2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (Hardcover)

Brandon Sanderson is one of the bright new lights in the world of epic fantasy--his Mistborn series are among the most exciting fantasies that I have read in years. So I was very enthusiastic when I heard about his young adult series about a young man who has a talent for breaking things. Alcatraz's first adventure was a delightful romp through a world of conspiracies perpetrated upon all of us "Hushlanders" by the evil Librarians. Sounds crazy? Well, it was so crazy that maybe he is right...maybe the librarians are all out to get us.

So I was very happy that the second book, Scrivener's bones has come out to some fanfare. The same Alcatraz is back--but a little more self assured, in more command of his talent. His collection of crazy family members are also back, as is Sanderson's talent for inventing new and original magic systems. The Ocularists are a very interesting take on magic, and one that people who are into these things will really enjoy.

The real star of the show, however, is Sanderson's writing. It is crisp, funny, engaging, and really fun. I found myself turning pages so quickly that I was getting fingerburn. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions, and closed the book pleased that I had taken another trip through some really original locations--flying glass dragon, anyone?

This is not Harry Potter. Alcatraz is simply not as weighty as that young magician. His characters are not as well rounded or complex as those of JKR; however, I don't think that was his intention. He has created a fun alternate universe, a fun new magical system, and now gives us some more depth to this very likeable young character. I would recommend this for younger teen readers, or for people (like me) who are rapidly becoming fanatics about Sanderson's novels.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book :), May 29, 2009

By 

Adrian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcatraz #2: Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (Hardcover)

I have an admission to make.

I'm an adult, but I read books written for 9-12 year olds sometimes. I read the first five Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer, and also the Bartemeous Trilogy by Jonathon Stroud.

This is a fun and fantastic book and personally, I feel that Mr Sanderson had a great time writing this wonderful novel. It's hard to believe someone who wrote the lengthy and serious Hero of Ages Trilogy could also have penned an comedy adventure series of such quality as well, but I'm sure glad that he can!

I cant wait until the next volume comes out in October! I really cant!