1935

I want to be on Alcatraz like I want poison oak on my private parts. But apparently nobody cares, because now IÕm Moose Flanagan, Alcatraz Island BoyÐall so my sister can go to the Esther P. Marinoff School, where kids wear their clothes inside out and there isnÕt a book in sight. Obedient Moose. I always do what IÕm supposed to do.

When MooseÕs 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 itÕs 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, heÕs never around. His momÕs preoccupation with NatalieÕs condition (today, it would be called autism) is even worse now that thereÕs no extended family to help. And of course, thereÕs never enough money.

When Moose meets Piper, the cute daughter of the warden, he knows right off sheÕs trouble. But sheÕs also strangely irresistible. All Moose wants to do is protect Natalie, live up to his parentsÕ expectations and stay out of trouble. But on Alcatraz, trouble is never very far away.