After helping his friend rob a bank, Marty finds himself in Alcatraz, one of the most notorious prisons in the world. When he is "befriended" by some prisoners, he is talked into playing a part in an escape plan.

This story is written for teenage boys who are dyslexic or who are reluctant readers. The description says it is "action packed" with "compelling narratives." I found this book a bit pointless. There wasn't enough to hold my attention, let alone the attention of a reluctant reader. The story went nowhere and ended on a very depressing tone. ( )

Great read for reluctant teens,

I first became aware of Theresa Breslin as the author of Remembrance, set in WWI. It was beautifully written and immediately became one of my favourite books. Now I am pleased to read another title by this author, Prisoner in Alcatraz. This book is very different in that it is written for a young adult audience, specifically those who are reluctant readers. It fills this niche well, keeping the interest throughout and providing a story that would attract boys, in particular.

The main character is Marty King, a young lad from the wrong side of the tracks, who loses his mother and finds himself in a children's home. Two years later he runs away and eventually returns to the shack where he was raised. An old mate from the home talks him into joining him in a raid and from there on, Marty's naiive personality leads him from one scrape to the next, each dragging him futher into a life of crime.

This is quite a moral tale, also an excellent starting point for discussions on history and crime. I found it a little slow in the first few pages but once it got going it had a life of its own. My one complaint would be that it does not give the date in which the narrative is set. It may be expecting a bit too much to assume that young teen readers will know that Alcatraz closed in 1963. Without that knowledge, some of the language will seem a bit dated.
Aside from that, I think this book is well placed within its specialised market. Teen readers whose first language is not English would also enjoy it. ( )