The Unofficial Alcatraz Handbook: A Complete Guide to the Most Often Asked Questions about "The Rock"

Get to know the history and mysteries of Alcatraz Island, home to one of the world's most famous prisons. This landmark off the coast of San Francisco was once home to many well-known criminals, including Al Capone.

Former Alcatraz Island volunteer and seasoned author Kristen Tracy takes young readers on an adventure through the historic prison's grounds in this dynamically illustrated book packed with interesting facts and important stories. From individual cells in the Main Cellhouse to the ruins of the Warden's House, readers will get an in-depth tour of the island and its buildings. Tracy also shares important stories about how Alcatraz got its name, famous escape attempts, the gardens and the birds of the island, as well as the Native American groups who once occupied "The Rock."

Award-winning illustrator Anika Orrock highlights the island's beautiful (and also grim) history with stunning artwork that brings to life this mysterious island. Author Kristen Tracy brings her personality-filled writing to a classic topic sure to be a hit with young readers. Written with a sharp eye for detail and an occasionally comedic voice, this book provides curious kids with a compact yet thorough history of America's most notorious prison island.

Sasas:

A former volunteer at Alcatraz, Tracy pours her first-hand knowledge of "The Rock" into this fascinating guide for young people. Popular visitors' questions act as chapter headings, which she engagingly answers in short, story-like narratives. As the chronological chapters build on one another, they also tell the early history of the island as a military fort. A majority of the stories, as wouldt be expected, focus on the federal prison established on Alcatraz, daily life for prisoners, some of its most notorious guests, and famous attempts at escape. After explaining why the prison closed, later chapters convey potentially lesser-known information, such as the Indians of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz and how people actually swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco today. Each account concludes with a "You Can Still See It Today" section that briefly explains what Alcatraz' visitors might expect, such as laundry facilities where Al Capone and other prisoners worked during their prison sentences. Orrock's color artwork possesses a sophisticated cartoon feel and is scattered throughout. Even seasoned readers and previous Alcatraz tourists will discover something new.

School Library Journal:

Tracy, a former volunteer gardener working on Alcatraz Island, asks and answers 20 questions about "The Rock" and its prisoners, wardens, and guards. In a first-person introduction, Tracy explains what led her to work on the island and how she ended up acting as a sort of docent, helping visitors with directions, etc. Questions include, "Was Alcatraz really a military fort?"; "What type of jobs did the prisoners have?"; "Are there really dungeons under Alcatraz?" Some famous prisoners are identified, with the most notorious, Al Capone, given a lot of attention. So are escape attempts. "You Can Still See It Today" boxes complement each chapter. This could prove helpful to tourists. The writing is thorough and inviting, at times even chatty, while peppered with cartoon illustrations and a few photographs. Tracy offers a thoughtful, personal conclusion to finish off the text. VERDICT: A thrilling historical account useful for report writing, those planning to visit the island, and entertainment.

The Unofficial Alcatraz Handbook was released in hardcover on September 24th, 2024.

ISBN-10: 0593661036

ISBN-13: 978-0593661031

Recommended for ages 10 and up.