Summary

In Chapter 1, Moose begins his story by telling his reader it is his father’s first day as associate warden at Alcatraz, the most notorious prison in North America. Moose says few people believe them when they say they live on Alcatraz. Moose describes his family’s routine on his father’s first day of work. His mother is brushing his sister, Natalie’s, hair. He describes Natalie, known as Nat, as being a little bit off. One of the things he mentions is that she will not look anyone in the eye. Before their father leaves for work on the first day, Nat gives her father a button from her collection for good luck.

When Moose's father walks out of their apartment onto the dock area below, Moose follows. He notices that Donny Caconi is watching the convicts. As Moose watches, one...