Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens

I had hoped I might disagree with the reviews for Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens. Unfortunately, I have to say I do believe this was the worst book in the series. While I felt Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia was weaker than the first two books that were wonderful, it is a strong book when compared to this last installment.

On a positive note, there were some interesting parts to the book. I loved the latest Smedry, Aydee who has a talent for being bad at math. For children who struggle with math, the way her talent turns out to be helpful is rather amusing. The progression of the war in Mokia has some interesting turns. Alcatraz has a revelation about his parents that shakes his perception of good and evil, as he has understood it until now. This plot was included to carry over into the final book not yet been picked up for publication.

The positives do not balance the negatives. The author destroyed much of what made this series strong. Grandpa Smedry one of characters who carried the series is almost absent from the book. If this were a TV series, you would wonder if they were contract negotiation issues or the actor was sick. The absence leaves holes in the plot that end up with contrived plot tricks to cover his missing time. The author attempts to create growing adolescent tension between Bastille and Alcatraz, but instead just makes Bastille into a flat, dull, character. She has finally lost the energy, strength, and personality that made her so interesting in the first two books. While the author is trying to create a final plot twist for the last book with Alcatraz's parents, the premise is weak and not supported. Finally, while Alcatraz has been a funny storyteller up to this point his voice is lost in the last book. Many reviews have complained about the constant use of the word stupid. That was only a minor annoyance compared to the loss of his voice in the story. When reading the first three and then hearing the first one on CD the attraction has been Alcatraz's narration. There are many fantasy adventure stories on the market. What was appealing about this one was the narration.

As I came to the end of the story, I did have that momentary conspiracy theory wondering who wrote the final book. Either the author had a few bad months of writing, or he farmed this one out to someone with an outline. It lacks the style, voice, and structure of the previous books. This book has the feel of someone trying to write in the style of another author to finish a book. As I said, it was a moment, not a full-blown research project. I have no idea what happened after the author completed the second book. I can only say the quality has decreased dramatically to the point I do not recognize the style in the last book.

I hope Sanderson does get his voice back and finishes the series in the style his readers deserve. Alcatraz deserves better.

Alcatraz Smedry meets Percy Jackson

I found the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) at a discount book store several years ago. Recently in my quest to find audio CD's to exercise with I borrowed The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book 1 from the library. I am always looking for ways to distract myself from how much I dislike exercising. As I found myself getting lost in the reader's voice, I realized that listening to a good reader inspired some interesting thoughts. As I listened to the opening of a story I had previously read, I was making connections I had not made when I had just read the books.

One of the exercises I used to do when I used literature circles with my students was asking them to make connections with other books. How would the characters in this book relate to characters in other books they had read? It has been a while since I helped students create questions for literature circles. However, as the reader described Percy Jackson and his experience at school, my mind immediately made the connection to Alcatraz. I wondered how these two boys would have dealt with each other. What would a story be like if the two attended school together prior to setting off on their adventures? Would they have been friends? How would their powers have interacted? Would they have been allies or enemies? Would they have understood each other's worlds?

When I taught students, these were questions many did not have experience with answering. While they eventually got used to exploring these types of questions, in the beginning it was challenging to get students to think beyond traditional expectations. Sadly, many only are taught to read the book, answer the questions and move on to the next book. If reading a series of books by genre or author there might be some expected questions. However, most of my students had little experience thinking out of the box about literature.

It would be interesting to see what kids would say about Alcatraz and Percy. There is no right or wrong answer. There is enough supporting material to suggest they could be friends or that their issues would end up having them choose not to be united.

I will be exercising to Percy Jackson while reading Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens. I will have more time to think about how these two characters would have interacted. This is a great activity to try with your own children as you read to them. Choose age appropriate questions and this kind of reading comprehension practice can be started with even young readers. Children can find ways to compare and contrast their favorite characters learning valuable skills in a fun way.

Why is there a sea creature picture? Well those of you who have read Percy Jackson will know.

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Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia

I was very excited to start Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia. I should have read the title more carefully. It gives the reader a very large hint of what Alcatraz faces in this book. I thought it referred to his support of his friend Bastille. I was wrong as was made clear by the end of the novel.

This book gave readers more information about the mysteries of the Librarian conspiracy. It also provided more information about Alcatraz's family history that was hinted at in the previous novel,Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones. Some of the jokes are getting tired which some of the diehard fans think defines the difference between real fans and casual fans. Some of us just think the author needed more ideas. The conflict between Alcatraz and both his parents looks like it is being established for later books.

The first two books did a great job of managing action, mystery, and foreshadowing. This book seemed to drop more chunks of story background, but the action was less smooth. While Bastille was allowed to redeem herself at the end, her character lacked definition for most of the third novel.

I am still looking forward to reading Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens. According to reviews I have read, there are supposed to be more plot solutions for interested readers. However, there are criticisms similar to ones I have made about the third book. There also does not seem to be a resolution with Scholastic regarding the last book.

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Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones

The library copy of Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones was available and I was finally able to finish it last night. The family reviews of the sequel were wonderful. Some of the online reviews more critical regarding the quality of the book. Therefore, I was unsure as I approached the novel what to think.

I have been listening to Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians on CD during my workouts. Charlie McWade brings Alcatraz alive and the story even more interesting than it was when I first read it. I have carried that voice into the reading of the second book.

There is definitely continuity between the first novel and the second. In fact, the main character is highly critical of those who skip the first novel and jump to the sequel. While the author reveals more information about the mystery surrounding the family and the mission, he presents new mysteries. The intentions of all the characters are not clear leading into the third book.

I was able to pick up the third novel from the library. The final novel needs to be reserved so I can pick it up. There still is no information available regarding the final novel. Talks seem to have broken down between Scholastic and the author. Perhaps if there is enough demand, talks will resume.

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Love Your Local Library

My local library came through again yesterday as the sequel Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones arrived only a day after I requested it.

The irony of all of this is this is a series about the evil librarians in our dimension suppressing all knowledge of the other dimension written about in this series. Yet, I find librarians seem to love the series. They also tell me they have Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians the audio CD in as well. Now I can listen to the audio version during my torture, rather workout sessions. I should be done with Salem's Lot by the end of next week. Since the Agatha Christie and the Alcatraz, books are much shorter I should have no trouble meeting my deadlines.

I am interested to see if this series lives up to the expectations my family has set.

As for the library, I love online reserve. It is so helpful in getting the books I am interested in with the least amount of hassles. In return, I try to support the library by dropping off books there for their book sales to support the services provided by the Friends of the Library. They have lost quite a few of their donations to the book bins in the area, not all of which go to charities.

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Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

I was amazed I had to do an extended interlibrary loan to find this book, but pleased by the time it came in to find my own library already has the sequels. Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarianshad three generations of readers interested over Christmas vacation. My niece, her parents, and grandparents all were scrambling to finish the first novel before Grandma went back to Florida. By New Years, my niece was already working through the set I bought her for Christmas. I had preordered the last one released at the beginning of December to be sure it would be ready for Christmas.

My understanding is there are currently four books available.

Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener's Bones

Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia

Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens


The rumor is Scholastic wants six books and the author only wants to write five. So readers who have finished the fourth are left waiting breathlessly while either the author finds another publisher or Scholastic gives in to angry readers who are demanding that the series be allowed to conclude. Scholastic is heavily dependent on loyal children reading their offerings so it is possible they could cave to pressure.

I am surprised more press has not been given to this series. I am not as current on children's literature as I was when I was in the classroom, but I still check around for good books for children. As a teacher, I was always looking for books that engaged kids. Series were a plus because when when a child finished one book, there was a desire to continue reading. This was a good thing. Sometimes it was hard to get them to break away and try new genres, but they were reading.

Another plus for this series is length. While many loved the doorstop quality of the Harry Potter novels, for challenged readers the length could be an obstacle. The Alcatraz novels are shorter making them more accessible and providing time for kids to read a variety of literature while still reading the whole series.

After polishing off my library copy, which is rather ironic if you have read the book, I have the second one on request. As I mentioned it is even available from my local library, which puts to test the author's theory that the librarians are suppressing the book as part of their evil plot to take over. You have to read the book to understand.

If you are looking for a fun fantasy series to check out for your classroom or your kids, Alcatraz might catch hold for you as it has in my family.

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