Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. 2004. G.P. Putman’s Sons, 228 pages. $16.25 ISBN: 9780756970208
Plot Summary:
Its 1935 and Moose and his family are moving to the high security prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz. Moose’s father got a job as a guard on Alcatraz and Moose’s family needs the money to send Moose’s autistic sister Natalie to a special school in the city. Moose is not excited about leaving his friends in Santa Monica and moving to a rock in the middle of the bay. Despite his worries about moving, Moose soon makes friends with the other kids who live on the island and with kids he attends school with, in the city. When Natalie initially is rejected from the special school, the whole family helps her prepare to the next years interviews. Despite all of Natalie’s progress, Moose worries she will not get into the school because their mother is lying about Natalie’s age.
Critical Review:
Moose is an outstanding narrator and very identifiable with tween readers. Moose is 12 and 5 foot 11 inches, he often feels out of place because of his height and because of Natalie’s autism. Despite feeling frustrated at having an autistic sister, Moose genuinely cares for Natalie. He does his best to help her improve socially so she can get into school the next year and he is protective of her safety, knowing that she does not recognize danger the way other people do. Al Capone Does My Shirts is a fascinating historical novel; Choldenko’s description of life on Alcatraz feels very real. Kids are sure to love this peek at life in the infamous Alcatraz when it was still a functioning prison.
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Humorous Fiction
Reading Level:
Grades 6 to 9
Similar Books:
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt
Awards/Honors:
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2005
ALA Notable Book 2005
Newberry Honor Book 2005
Sid Flieschman Humor Award 2005
Author’s Website:
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