Inside Alcatraz

by Heather E. Schwartz

Overview

Attempted escapes, suspected paranormal activity, and more mark Alcatraz's history.

Dive deep into Alcatraz and find out how it's become a popular spot for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. Readers will return again and again to solve the mysteries of this historic site.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728478319
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2023
Series:	Top Secret (Alternator Books ®)
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.13(d)
Age Range:	9 - 11 Years

About the Author

When Heather E. Schwartz was thirteen years old, she tracked down several lead orphans from the 1983 movie "Annie" and interviewed them by phone. As an adult, she realized she could apply those same early instincts to a career as a journalist and writer. She is the author of more than 35 nonfiction children's titles, published by Lerner Publishing Group, Capstone Press, Teacher Created Materials, Lucent Books, and Tangerine Press, a Scholastic imprint. She has written articles for National Geographic Kids and Discovery Girls. In addition, she developed the content for KidsGetArthritisToo.org, the juvenile section of the Arthritis Foundation's website. Other credits in the children's market include articles for Teen, Girls' Life, and All About You magazines. Additionally, Ms. Schwartz is a former editor at Bridal Guide magazine, co-author of Bridal Guide Magazine's How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Gown (Warner, 2004), and contributor to The Takeout Cookbook (Knock Knock 2007).

Table of Contents

Introduction: Inmates on the Loose 4

Chapter 1 No Way Out 6

Chapter 2 Mysteriously Missing 12

Chapter 3 Ghost Stories 22

Timeline 29

Glossary 30

Learn More 31

Index 32

Editorial Reviews

"Able readers who enjoy historical mysteries and examining all sides of stories will appreciate this series about unexplainable events. . . . Students will relish the tantalizing notion that there are things still unknown about these top secrets."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2023

Gr 4–7—Able readers who enjoy historical mysteries and examining all sides of stories will appreciate this series about unexplainable events. Each slim volume opens with an intriguing introduction before laying out known details of the "top secret" in the subsequent three chapters. Each mystery is well researched, well written, and fast-paced. The writing is compact and presented in an intelligent, conversational tone, with no sense that students are being talked down to. Historical background is provided for each topic, and several possible explanations are proposed. Students will relish the tantalizing notion that there are things still unknown about these top secrets. The series is stylishly designed to suggest a conspiracy is afoot: volumes' pages are designed to resemble file folders or dossiers with tabs. Tucked inside are photos and notes with illustrated paper clips attached to some of them. Maximizing the idea of secretiveness are the words "Top Secret" looking as if they're "stamped" in red ink appearing randomly at the beginnings of volumes, along with occasional redactions. Many captioned, color and black-and-white photos and illustrations, both contemporary and archival, lend quality support to the series. Additionally, "Solve It" sidebars, providing information expanding on a volume's topic, encourage students to do creative critical thinking, problem-solving, and occasional research. Another interesting special feature is a "Declassified" page which adds extra details about the featured mystery. Back matter material includes a timeline, glossary (no pronunciation guides), "Learn More" (a bibliography of books and websites) and an index. VERDICT Solid facts and intriguing content make this a good purchasing choice for school and public libraries.

School Library Journal