This book delves into the history of Alcatraz prison and the island itself, with a particular focus on the community and individuals who lived there. It offers a brief overview of the 1969-1970 Indigenous activist occupation. A valuable addition to public and school libraries, especially in the United States.

I found this book to be lacking. The writing style was geared towards a much younger audience than I expected, I suppose, as it was quite simplistic. The information delivered here was not quite enriching or engaging- it was mostly saying “yeah these kids grew up like normal kids, except they lived on Alcatraz”.
Not my favorite book.

When I’m looking for a quick history lesson or refresher, I turn to children’s books as they are engaging and easy to comprehend in a short number of pages. I didn’t know much about Alcatraz Island, aside from the main point that it was a federal prison in San Francisco Bay. This was an informative read — a good mix of text and images — about the families and children who lived on the island.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Capstone Press for the ARC of #GrowingUpInTheShadowOfAlcatraz. To be published Jan. 1, 2025.

Absolutely LOVED this book! This true story about the children who grew up on Alcatraz has a great balance between text and photos so it doesn't get overwhelming. Certainly all of the photos bring the story to life. Loved everything about it and I hope it's in libraries for kids! Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

Growing up in San Francisco during the time Alcatraz was an active prison I never thought about families living on the island. Alcatraz was never discussed in school therefore as a child and teen we never knew much about it other than it was a prison.

This book was so well researched. I would recommend it to be used as part of curriculum in all San Francisco and California schools.

Life was so interesting there. Families were close with a sense of freedom and safety. It was a wonderful read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Capstone Press for the digital ARC of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

That big rock in the San Francisco Bay is an attention grabber in itself, then to think of a prison there housing the most dangerous and nortiorious criminals in America heightens the intrigue. What we don’t think of is the regular folks who lived there to run the prison… guards, food service, mechanical, health professionals, etc. These workers had families who lived there.

In this 32-page middle-grade picture book, readers get glimpses into the everyday lives of the children who grew up on Alcatraz as their parents worked at the prison.
Emma Bland Smith blends engaging storytelling, historical photos, and real-life sources, to bring everyday life on the island to the reader.

Readers will learn of life outside the prison walls through the eyes of the children. Living on Alcatraz had its drawbacks, lots of rules, (many were broken), although only 1.25 miles away, getting to the mainland could be a challenge, bitter winds in winter, thick fog in the summer, yet folks were completely happy in this unique lifestyle. Living so closely, they were like an enormous family.

The book is well organized, and includes interesting graphics. The photograph on page 8 is an ariel view of the island which accurately depicts why it was called The Rock making it virtually inescapable by inmates. For families it was only an 12 minute ride to the mainland for school, groceries, health care, yet it was not a simple outing for basic needs.
I enjoyed learning about daily life for inmates, employees and their families. No cats or dogs were allowed but many had birds, hamsters and guinea pigs. It's amazing how much fun the families had, despite being bound to a prison!

This book will appeal to readers ages 8-12 who enjoy history and unique settings. As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed learning of everyday life on Alcatraz. Historical fiction fans will appreciate the authentic look at life on Alcatraz Island.

An informative and interesting nonfiction read. Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz by Emma Bland Smith is an ideal book for younger readers looking to explore the history, social, cultural, political and economic aspects that shaped the creation and administration of the island prison facility of Alcatraz. The book follows the unique perspective of the families and children who worked and lived on the island and the surprising positive experiences and memories they had of this time. The book is a mix of writing, images and interesting facts and timelines that support the text. A great foundation book for young readers approaching history and social changes from the past. Accessible and engaging 4 Stars ✨.

What a fascinating history of Alcatraz! I had absolutely no idea that families lived on the island as well, although I suppose it makes sense when you think about it.

I really enjoyed learning about the ways families existed on the island and some of the strange rules they had to abide by (like no pets); and yet how normal their lives were considering they lived next to one of the most famous prisons in America.

My history loving son is going to devour this book! Great book, fun read, lots of cool facts with real black and white photos that show life on Alcatraz. I highly recommend this book.

My sister recently visited Alcatraz and was telling me about the guards and their families who lived on the island during its time as a federal prison. I didn’t know much about this aspect of Alcatraz history, so instantly wanted to learn more. It was perfect timing when I randomly discovered this book – I had to read it!

This is perfect for the young audience it’s written for, yet adults can easily read it too. I would’ve devoured it as a kid, though still enjoyed it (and didn’t feel dumbed down) as an adult. It respects young people’s intelligence, while providing enough interesting facts to hold their attention. I’ve always loved books with this kind of layout – a combination of pictures with memorable pieces of information ensured I learned plenty.

Is it possible for a book on Alcatraz to be wholesome? Emma has proved it so! The kids of Alcatraz had an idyllic childhood in their close-knit community, despite living beside the toughest criminals in the country. I was amazed to learn more than 100 children resided on the island, along with their families – and even the warden’s dog, Pat.

Emma captured the atmosphere of San Francisco Bay, along with the contrasting environments of the family community and inmate lives. Occasionally, the two overlapped, which made for some of my favourite moments.

When it comes to books on Alcatraz, you don’t expect to read about kids shaking hands with Al Capone, or to see photos of Christmas parties – but that’s the beauty of this one. It highlights a different, often untold side to the notorious former prison – something which makes it a joy to read for audiences of all ages.

Great informative book. It is a children’s book , however it is also great for information for adults as well. I had no idea that there were families that lived in the shadow of. Alcatraz . I would recommend this book .

This is a well-presented, simple look at what life was like living on Alcatraz, not for the prisoners, but for the families of the guards working there. The high levels of security made the island feel very safe and the children grew up with a lot more freedom than those living on the mainland. For many, this was a very positive experience and there are other related folks mentioned in the back, with other books to try.

As an adult I hadn’t realized that families and children lived on Alcatraz. So when I saw this book I found it very intriguing to learn more. Why would families have to live on Alcatraz? Weren’t they scared? Was there a school on the island? How big was the island? All of these questions and more get answered in Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz. Children (and adults) will especially enjoy the many pictures that help support the interesting information.

This book is perfect for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who enjoy history and unique settings. It’s great for kids curious about lesser-known historical tidbits, as well as for educators and parents looking for engaging, educational material. I also think fans of historical fiction will appreciate the authentic look at life on Alcatraz Island. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Ever wondered what it was like for children to grow up on Alcatraz Island—a place known for its infamous prison and the world's most dangerous criminals? Well, I was definitely curious!

This 32-page middle-grade picture book gives a peek into the everyday lives of more than 100 kids who grew up on Alcatraz Island, where their parents worked at the prison. With a blend of captivating storytelling, historical photos, and real-life sources, Smith brings their unique experience to life. The book explores themes like resilience, community, and how these kids balanced their childhoods with the shadow of a notorious prison in the background.

Emma Bland Smith's writing is both easy to follow and vivid, making complex historical topics easy for middle-grade readers.

This book is perfect for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who enjoy history and unique settings. It’s great for kids curious about lesser-known historical tidbits, as well as for educators and parents looking for engaging, educational material. I also think fans of historical fiction will appreciate the authentic look at life on Alcatraz Island.

I really enjoyed reading Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz! This picture book shares a unique side of Alcatraz's history, beyond the prison. I was surprised to learn that families of the employees that lived on the island made fond memories living there. It was fascinating to read about what their day to day life was like.

The book is well organized, with great graphics and easy to read stats. I liked that one picture showcased where everything was on the island and that there was a timeline of important events. It was fun learning about daily life for inmates, employees and their families. It's amazing how much fun the families had, despite being surrounded by a prison!

The language is not too complex making it perfect for kids. And for words children may not know, there's words in bold throughout the book, that are defined in a glossary at the end. I would recommend this book for kids maybe from grades 4 to 8. But even as an adult, I learned new things so this book would be great for many different ages. If you and/or an older child are interested in learning about the children and their families who lived at Alcatraz, make sure to pick up a copy when the book releases!