young protagonist · tall stature · clumsy · optimistic · high school setting · innocent · lanky · enthusiastic · coming of age · vulnerable
The grey waters of San Francisco Bay lap against the concrete walls of Alcatraz. It is late October 1935, and the air bites with a sharp chill. On the twelve-acre rock, Matthew 'Moose' Flanagan trudges toward the dock, his breath misting. Beside him, Piper Williams, the Warden’s bossy daughter, grips his hand firmly, dragging him forward. Jimmy and Annie trail behind, while Theresa darts ahead. They wait for the ferry, eager to meet the new family arriving on the island.