Al Capone Does My Shirts
Choldenko, G. (2004). Al Capone does my shirts. New York: Putnam.
Summary
In 1935 Moose Flanagan and his family move to Alcatraz Island and live there, right next to the prison, with the rest of the guards' families. His new surroundings are quite different and life so close to convicted criminals has its challenges. Moose's younger sister is autistic, although that was not known in the time period of the story, so her many ups and downs add to the trials that Moose faces throughout the story.
Impression
This is my favorite genre and this book did not let me down. I love that it takes place on Alcatraz and that so much attention to historical detail was put in to the story. It is a work of fiction, so creative liberties are of course taken. But this book and it's sequel; Al Capone Shines My Shoes, are great stories.
Review
Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-old Moose moves to Alcatraz in 1935 so his father can work as a prison guard and his younger, autistic sister, Natalie, can attend a special school in San Francisco. It is a time when the federal prison is home to notorious criminals like gangster Al Capone. Depressed about having to leave his friends and winning baseball team behind, Moose finds little to be happy about on Alcatraz. He never sees his dad, who is always working; and Natalie's condition-- her tantrums and constant needs--demand all his mother's attention. Things look up for Moose when he befriends the irresistible Piper, the warden's daughter, who has a knack for getting Moose into embarrassing but harmless trouble. Helped by Piper, Moose eventually comes to terms with his new situation. With its unique setting and well-developed characters, this warm, engaging coming-of-age story has plenty of appeal, and Choldenko offers some fascinating historical background on Alcatraz Island in an afterword.
Booklist. (2004). 100(11).
Library Use
1. Novel study along with a research project about Alcatraz and/or some of its infamous inhabitants.
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