The Gardener of Alcatraz: A True Story
What’s inside...
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. Thoughts of escape were replaced with new interests and skills-and a sense of dignity and fulfilment. Elliott transformed Alcatraz Island, and the island transformed him. 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.
Age
7-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Elliot Michener
James A. Johnston
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the gardener to start gardening in Alcatraz?
How do you think gardening changed the gardener's life on Alcatraz?
What feelings do you think the gardener experienced while tending to his plants?
What can we learn from the gardener's dedication and care for his garden?
If you were in Alcatraz, what kind of garden would you want to create?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, emphasizing that there are no right or wrong answers.
Discuss the concept of transformation and how nurturing something can lead to positive changes, relating it to the gardener’s experience.
Ask your child to imagine what it would be like to be in the gardener's shoes, enhancing their empathy and understanding of the character.
Connect the story to real-life by discussing with your child how people often find peace and satisfaction in taking care of plants or gardens.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: The main character overcomes various challenges while tending to the garden in a harsh environment, demonstrating steadfastness and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of not giving up when facing difficult tasks or situations in school or at home.
Example Lesson: Transformation and hope
Explanation: The story illustrates how the act of gardening transforms a grim place like Alcatraz into a source of beauty and life, symbolizing hope.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to see the potential for positive change and growth in any situation, no matter how bleak it may seem initially.
Example Lesson: The impact of nurturing
Explanation: As the gardener cares for the plants, they flourish, underscoring the power of care and attention.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of caring for their pets, plants, and relationships with others.
Example Lesson: Environmental stewardship
Explanation: The book promotes respect for nature through the protagonist’s commitment to the garden, even in an unconventional setting.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the value of taking care of the environment around them, nurturing a sense of responsibility towards nature.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Faced with limited resources, the gardener uses innovative methods to cultivate the garden, showcasing creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to think creatively when faced with limitations in resources or information, both academically and personally.