Gennifer Choldenko’s newest title, a 2005 Honor Book for the prestigious Newberry Medal, takes place in 1935, and follows the exploits of 12-year-old Moose Flanagan. Moose’s father has just taken a job at Alcatraz, the notorious federal prison set in San Francisco Bay. The book is filled with themes of solitude and captivity, but also the compassion and warmth expressed in Moose´s relationship with his autistic sister, Natalie. - Andrew Robinton