Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (2007, Hardcover)

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians is a lighthearted novel intended for early teens, but perfectly enjoyable for adults as well. It is a perfect example of a writer just having fun with his work. The jokes are often corny, the plot is ridiculous (although set in our own world), and the main character is a sarcastic misfit. To give you an example of the tone of the book, some of the special magic powers of characters include arriving late, tripping, and breaking things. Add to this an irreverent sense of humor and Sanderson poking fun at EVERYTHING, and you'll never know what to expect next!

Somehow, it all comes together quite nicely in a quick-paced story that will leave you chuckling and wanting more of Alcatraz's zany adventures.

The only real disadvantages of the book are that it is difficult to find in some bookstores and libraries (and almost impossible to find in hardback), and although it is very short, the jacket price is comparable to full-length novels. I hope that a less expensive compilation of the series will be released to help readers save some money.

All in all, it is well worth the time it takes to read, and would probably be most enjoyed by fans of Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, and other teen fantasy books. Enjoy!