1935
I want to be on Alcatraz like I want poison oak on my private parts. But apparently nobody cares, because now I’m Moose Flanagan, Alcatraz Island Boy–all so my sister can go to the Esther P. Marinoff School, where kids wear their clothes inside out and there isn’t a book in sight. Obedient Moose. I always do what I’m supposed to do.
When Moose’s family moves to Alcatraz Island so his father can work as a guard and his sister can attend a special school in San Francisco, he has to leave his friends behind. But it’s worth it, right? If his sister, Natalie, can get help, maybe his family will finally be normal.
But on Alcatraz his dad is so busy, he’s never around. His mom’s preoccupation with Natalie’s condition (today, it would be called autism) is even worse now that there’s no extended family to help. And of course, there’s never enough money.
When Moose meets Piper, the cute daughter of the warden, he knows right off she’s trouble. But she’s also strangely irresistible. All Moose wants to do is protect Natalie, live up to his parents’ expectations and stay out of trouble. But on Alcatraz, trouble is never very far away.
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"A great story set on Alcatraz island during the time Al Capone was imprisoned there. Moose, the main character, just moved with his family to Alcatraz as his dad takes on a job there. Moose quickly gets to know who really rules the island, and that it can be pretty complicated to stay out of trouble. When you are new, life is never easy. Things become even more complicated when your sister has special needs, when your dad's job gets jeopardized if you make a wrong move,... while all you really want is finding friends. (Thanks for recommending this great book to me, Rosie. I should have read it a long time ago when you mentioned it first.)"
— Tanja (4 out of 5 stars)
Choldenko's pacing is exquisite. . . . [A] great read.
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review" I truly enjoyed reading every bit of this book. I was sad when it was over because I was left wondering what happened next. I would use this is my classroom because even though it is set in a time in the past, it is full of dialogue and topics interesting to children of elementary age. "
— Kristin, 2/18/2014" Great book that deals with exceptionalities and family struggles. However, it is historical and ties in a great story line to a historical place that children will love. I would definitely recommend this book for students at the high elementary level. "
— Elizabeth, 2/14/2014" I absolutely loved this book. I can somewhat relate to Moose because I had to move far away, from the rest of my family, friends and sports teams, when I was little. I cannot relate to having a sibling with a disability but I would love to work with children like that and want my masters in disabilities. This book was somewhat sad to me. I hate to see Moose left out because of how his parents are so busy with work or his sisters needs. I think this book would be a great read for older students or maybe even students who deal with the same things at home. "
— Morgan, 2/10/2014" This month's book for book group. I liked it. It's interesting to see how families handled children with mental illnesses back in the 1930s. "
— Jennifer, 2/6/2014" I have a fascination with Alcatraz and I found this book delightful. It was very entertaining and kept my attention all the way through. Loved it. "
— Daryl, 1/25/2014" Great story, but I not very historically accurate in terms of language, etc. which I found really annoying. "
— Sarah, 1/23/2014" cute book. i felt for Moose and wanted to strangle his mother. also makes me wonder. if vaccines are causing autism and they weren't being widely used in 1935, where exactly did the correlation come from? "
— Ceej, 1/11/2014" This book was ok.... I didn't like it very much. "
— Alison, 1/2/2014" It was good. I Liked it. "
— Nola, 9/6/2013" Very good book, takes you inside the lives of people who worked and lived on Alcatraz island! "
— Tanya, 9/4/2013Gennifer Choldenko is an author and illustrator. She is the author of several children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and Al Capone Throws Me a Curve, named a Newbery Honor book. She received a BA degree from Brandeis University, graduating cum laude with honors, and a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was the youngest in a family of four kids, and her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when she was very young.
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.