I'd had a copy of this on my home bookshelf ... one I'd had my eye on back in the days when I was looking for books for my boys (reluctant readers). I enjoyed this as an adult, and it would have been one I'd hope the boys might like (they are grown now).

Set in 1935, it does offer some history. Of Alcatraz, of Al Capone, of what life was like during the depression days. First person (our MC is 13 year old Matthew "Moose"), past tense, very easy conversational style. Matthew's sister Natalie is autistic ... although autism hasn't been defined at that date. The story revolves around her as much as anything else.

Three parts, with chronological chapters running through (40 of them). Each chapter had a header, and these were included in the Kindle Table of Contents, but not the audiobook (I wish they had been included there too). The physical book HAS a TOC! With headers! Both Kindle/physical have a map of Alcatraz Island. There is a very informative author's note (which happily was included in the audio). The Kindle copy has some additional interviews/photos and bibliography of sources.

I didn't get around to stopping to jot down any notes - I do remember Oliver Sacks being mentioned in the author's notes (read one of book of his last December for Book Club).

First in a series ... if I was the target audience, I'd likely continue on with the series. I'm not sure I will as an adult with thousands of books on my TBR ...