Claire Rudolf Murphy has been a history buff since she was in grade school and loves to write history through the eyes of children and outsiders. She has written fourteen books for young readers, including Walker & Company’s I Am Sacajawea, I am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark. Claire was inspired to write this book after a visit to Alcatraz, where she learned that children had lived on the island.  She became fascinated by the idea that miserable prisoners and happy kids could live parallel lives on one tiny island. Claire lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband and two sons.  You can visit her Web site at www.clairerudolfmurphy.com.