Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #305867 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-19
• Released on: 2006-09-19
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 64 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7–While other books cover the history of Alcatraz Island for this audience, none of them give more than a brief mention of the many children who lived there over the years. Murphy's clearly written history starts with the island's use by Native Americans in the pre-Colonial era and continues through its various incarnations as a lighthouse, military post, and then prison. She follows the federal penitentiary years, the island's rearming during World War II, the Native American occupation of 1969-71, and the island's current incarnation as a National Historical Park. The young people who lived there were mostly children of employees and of the Native Americans during the occupation, but also included youthful prisoners. Liberally illustrated with black-and-white archival photographs, the book also includes print, AV, and Internet resources. While useful for reports, this title will appeal to general readers.–Nancy Silverrod, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Most people associate Alcatraz with notorious criminals such as Al Capone, but few think of children. Some children, however, did grow up on "the rock," and this is their story--from the earliest Indian children to those whose parents occupied Alcatraz during the 1969--71 Native American protests. In between, children of lighthouse keepers, soldiers, and prison authorities played on the grounds and called it home. A few photographs feature famous prisoners, but most are snapshots of the islands youngest residents. The anecdotal narrative, connecting photos and families, makes this more family album than wanted poster. The narrow focus may disappoint some, but it reveals a unique portrait of children who have generally been invisible. A list of further resources and a time line are appended, but no sources are cited. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Claire Rudolf Murphy has been a history buff since she was in grade school and loves to write history through the eyes of children and outsiders. She has written fourteen books for young readers, including Walker & Company’s I Am Sacajawea, I am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark. Claire was inspired to write this book after a visit to Alcatraz, where she learned that children had lived on the island. She became fascinated by the idea that miserable prisoners and happy kids could live parallel lives on one tiny island. Claire lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband and two sons. You can visit her Web site at www.clairerudolfmurphy.com.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant- who knew there were children on Alcatraz?
This book is an exciting look at Alcatraz. How many people knew that children lived on Alcatraz? Surely, not many. I love how Claire Rudolf Murhpy seamlessly includes enough detail to bring the island to life during each era of children living upon the island. With gangsters like Al Capone and the Bird Man living there, would you want your child living on the island? Find out the how and why of the children living there. Both adults and children will love this book.

disappointing
I had expected a bit more in depth description of the life of the children, so was disappointed. It was purchased for my grandson as he hopes to visit Alcatraz and felt it would give a new dimension to his understanding. It will, but not as much as I had hoped.

Generations grow up "on the Rock" . . .and tell the tale . . .
Every reader who enjoyed "Al Capone Does My Shirts" should be steered to this book. Claire Rudolf Murphy gives a fascinating survey of the progression of "communities" at different times in history in her book about the "Children of Alcatraz." Following native Americans, the earliest families to live there were those of the lighthouse keepers in the 1850s, then the military came. When the island was transformed into a high security prison in 1934, the families of guards lived there until 1963. It isn't known whether any prisoner ever survived an escape attempt; the prison was considered a fortress, and the Bay formidable.

There was another stressful period from 1969 to 1971 when Native Americans occupied the island to protest the injustices of U. S. law. This protest lasted eighteen months. The stories of each group are of great interest and pictures are particularly helpful in implementing these. Reviewer mcHaiku is always surprised at the very small acreage of the island & the many buildings, including cell blocks, in close juxtaposition. Living in such extraordinary circumstances brought about close friendships and later reunions strengthened those unique relationships.

Alcatraz Island is not so much a symbol of the city's past but more a multiple historic marker. Today, of course, it is a destination for curiosity-seekers, but all visitors will be surprised by the wide interest generated which can also stimulate many enthusiastic searches for more information via a computer or library. Author Claire Murphy may have inspired many readers to discover why the island was originally named "Pelican" - - and it had nothing to do with the "Birdman of Alcatraz" either.