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cmconsidine's review against another edition
4.0
Inspired by one of my cool 5th graders who reads a lot and is enjoying it!
laila4343's review against another edition
3.0
Really touching and funny book about a family living on Alcatraz in 1935. Turns out there really were kids living on the island - the last chapter in the audiobook details the real history. A good listen for middle-grade readers. Kind of heavy in that it deals with a sibling who has autism, which, of course, wasn't a diagnosis made back then.
onceuponacarm's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books I didn't have much interest in reading, but it was available in audio at my public library and is a Newbery Honor book, so I figured it was worth a try. I loved it. It was the kind of story that seems too unlikely to be made up, with a realistically complicated family, the discomfort of adolescence, stigmas of the 1930s, the glamor of Alcatraz criminals, and incredible love.
maddymissimo's review against another edition
1.0
I'm honestly a bit confused as to why this received a Newbery Honor, because it was 1) boring and 2) the characters were stereotypical. I suppose it's because of Natalie's character, but a lot felt awkward and resolved about that, especially the business with inmate 105. Overall, I just felt like this book was really lacking.
hollydaze71's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable!
I loved the relationship between the brother and sister?
Copyright 2004. How have I not read this before now?
I loved the relationship between the brother and sister?
Copyright 2004. How have I not read this before now?
mnstucki's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fantastic! Everything I love in a middle-grade novel, with all the complexities of life and familial relationships. A great pick for a late elementary or early middle school student.