Silimatic Technology.
This part scientific, part magical technology powers much of the Free Kingdoms. Using details from the novels, create an outline or short pamphlet explaining the rules and functions of silimatic technology as you understand it. If desired, dress as you imagine a Free Kingdoms scientist might choose to dress and present your findings to classmates.
Choose a Talent.
Many of the characters in the Alcatraz series have talents that seem more like problems. Think of a personality trait or quality you consider a fault in your own life, such as messy penmanship, bad spelling, or the inability to catch a baseball. Imagine how that talent might prove useful in the world of Alcatraz. Write a 3–5 page scene in which you encounter Alcatraz and help him using your “talent.”
English Language Arts Common Core Writing Standards
W.3.1-3, 4.1-3, 5.1-3, 6.1-3, 7.1-3
W3.7-8, 4.7-9, 5.7-9, 6.7-9, 7.7-9
The Scrivener’s Bones
Has Alcatraz’s estranged father gotten lost in the secret underground Library of Alexandria? And is he willing to pay the ultimate price for limitless knowledge … the sacrifice of his soul?
QUOTES
Discuss the following quotations in terms of what they mean in the novel; in terms of your thoughts about books and libraries; and in terms of their relevance to the real lives of readers.
The things I am telling you here are factual. In this case, I can only prove that I’m a liar by telling the truth, though I will also include some lies—which I will point out—to act as object lessons proving the truth that I’m a liar.
The quickest way I’ve found to feel bad about yourself is to read a self-help book, and the second quickest way is to read a depressing literary work intended to make you feel terrible about humanity in general.
Many people would rather give up what remains of their lives than live in ignorance.… This is only one of the many ways that we gain souls.
Writers—particularly storytellers like myself—write about people. That is ironic, since we actually know nothing about them.
Think about it. Why does someone become a writer? Is it because they like people? Of course not. Why else would we seek out a job where we get to spend all day, every day, cooped up in our basement with no company besides paper, a pencil, and our imaginary friends?
WRITING EXERCISES
Reading Journal Entry: Knowledge
The Curators attempt to trick Alcatraz and his comrades into reading. In a short essay or reading journal entry, describe what type of knowledge is most tempting to you. What is the most important kind of knowledge? Do you think you would be able to avoid the Curators’ traps? Why or why not?
Explanatory Text: Ancient Libraries
With friends or classmates, go to the library or online to learn more about the Ancient Library of Alexandria, and other ancient libraries or archives. Create informative posters about these places, their locations, history, contents and legacy, and assemble them into a classroom display.
Literary Analysis: Names
Many Free Kingdoms characters have names associated with prisons. Make an annotated list of characters with prison names accompanied by facts about their namesake prisons. What reason(s) are given for the prison names by various characters in the story? Can you think of other novels, book series, television shows, or movies in which characters’ names are related to such things as historical figures or geographical landmarks? What impact does Brandon Sanderson’s naming choices have on your reading of the story?
Literary Analysis: Forgotten Language
Write a short essay explaining how the idea of a “Forgotten Language” is introduced in the story and how it becomes an increasingly important concept throughout the course of the novel. Why might the idea of language be something Brandon Sanderson seeks to put at the core of this series?
English Language Arts Common Core Standards
RL.3.1–4, 4.1–4, 5.1–4, 6.1–4, 7.1–4
SL.3.3–4, 4.3–4, 5.3–4, 6.3–4, 7.3–4
W.3.1–3, 4.1–3, 5.1–3, 6.1–3, 7.1–3; W3.7–8, 4.7–9, 5.7–9, 6.7–9, 7.7–9
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brandon Sanderson is not, obviously, the real author of this book. Alcatraz Smedry wrote it. Because this book must be published in the Hushlands as a “fantasy” novel in order to confuse and distract Librarian agents, an arrangement has been reached with Mr. Sanderson to use his name on the cover.
Alcatraz has met Brandon Sanderson, and he was not impressed. Sanderson writes actual fantasy books— silly things that are nowhere near as factual and real as this text. He’s the president of his local chapter of THCoFWWBAWTL, and he has been known to bring swords to weddings.
He’s been imprisoned for improper use of puns on three separate occasions. You can sign up for email updates here.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Hayley Lazo is an artist by trade, but her true passion is dispensing righteous fury upon grammatical offenders. Misplaced modifiers, dangling participles, and comma splices are among the many things up with which she shall not put. Her art can be found at art-zealot.deviantart.com.
ALSO BY BRANDON SANDERSON
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
The Dark Talent (forthcoming)