The Gardener of Alcatraz
A True Story
Charlesbridge · Print & ebook · April 5, 2022
A prisoner gardens his way to freedom in this inspiring picture-book biography.
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- Who it’s for
- A prison-garden story pairs a surprising true-life turn with questions that reach beyond Alcatraz.
- Themes
- Personal transformation, Dignity through meaningful work, Prison and incarceration
- Genres
- Historical Biographies for Kids, Kids' Gardening, Law & Crime for Kids
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Start with this bookAbout this book
A prisoner gardens his way to freedom in this inspiring picture-book biography. When Elliott Michener was locked away in Alcatraz for counterfeiting, he was determined to defy the odds and bust out. But when he got a job tending the prison garden, a funny thing happened. He found new interests and skills--and a sense of dignity and fulfillment. Elliott transformed Alcatraz Island, and the island transformed him.
Continue reading
Told with empathy and a storyteller's flair, Elliott's story is funny, touching, and unexpectedly relevant. Back matter about the history of Alcatraz and the US prison system today invites meaningful discussion.
A Garden’s Turn
A prison-garden story pairs a surprising true-life turn with questions that reach beyond Alcatraz.
Come here for
- The odd, human turn from escape plans to gardening
- A picture-book biography with humor and empathy
Expect
- A story of gardening, new skills, and hard-won dignity
- Back matter on Alcatraz’s history and today’s U.S. prison system
Where it sits
| Kids' Gardening | 87% |
|---|---|
| Historical Biographies for Kids | 52% |
| Law & Crime for Kids | 50% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Historical Biographies for Kids
- Kids' Gardening
- Law & Crime for Kids
- Authors
- Emma Bland Smith
- Publisher
- Charlesbridge
- Published
- April 5, 2022
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Personal transformation · Dignity through meaningful work · Prison and incarceration
- Reading lane
- Historical Biographies for Kids