Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.05, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Historical Fiction, Mental Health, Newbery, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Anyone grades 6 and up who likes historical fiction and/or stories that focus on siblings, in this case a brother and his older sister with autism.
Why? Moose Flanagan, 12 years old in 1935, narrates the story of what happens when his family moves to Alcatraz Island so that his father can work as an electrician and prison guard. Things do not go well for Moose on Alcatraz, where about 50 families live. Moose’s mother is obsessed with the plight of his autistic sister Natalie. His mother believes that Natalie will have a chance in life if only she can attend the Esther P. Marinoff School in San Francisco. When the first attempt to enroll Natalie in the school fails, Moose must help out with Natalie, which causes him to miss playing baseball and to lose his new friend. In addition, the daughter of the prison warden, manipulative and irresistible, seems bent on getting him into trouble. Moose’s story brings Alcatraz to life, with historically accurate references to Al Capone and his mother, the prison warden, the activities of daily life, and the pursuits of kids on the island. Many engaging minor characters move the story forward with humor and personality quirks. What makes this book really worthwhile is the relationship between Moose and Natalie. It made me cry at the end!
228 pp. 2004 Review by Samrarian
