Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
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Book Reviews of Al Capone Does My Shirts
Book Review: Luke Ford
Summary: 3 Stars
Al Capone Does My Shirts Scholastic Inc, 2004 , 225 pp ,$[...]
Gennifer Choldenko ISBN 0-439-69237-7
Moose Flanagan's life was perfect he has awesome friends, he wants to go to the baseball stadium. But when his dad takes a job on Alcatraz and he is forced to leave, live on a island with the most hardcore criminals in the world. Don't let me forget it is in the middle of the sanfiresico bay! The book is about piper and moose charging there class mates to have there clothes washed by Al Capone or Machine Gun Kelly. But they also hit speed bumps, in the way like the warden finds out they were charging there class mates, a mom find out and sends the warden a note. But the warden is pipers father. But this is a long stretch for moose because he doesn't like to get in to trouble. And one of the class mates scout in this historical fiction book takes a big part because its 1935 baseball is the passing time, but one day moose has to ask scout to change the baseball day to Tuesday instead of Monday. But one day when moose finally helps piper they almost get caught!
So when I had to put the book down I was down because it was over and there isn't a sequel.
-Luke Ford
Book Review: A review for Al Capone does my Shirts
Summary: 3 Stars
During October, I have been reading a book called Al Capone Does My Shirts. This book was written by Gennifer Choldenko and it is historical fiction. Here isa summary of the book without the ending.
The main character, Moose, along with his sister, Natalie move to Alcatraz, a 12 acre rock in the bay of San Francisco. On the island is a prison. All the people in this prison are dangerous criminals that other prisons don't want. Moose moved here because his dad is a prison guard. Natalie has autism. Her parents try to get her into the Esther P. Marinoff School to help her get better. They don't accept her. Moose plays ball on the baseball team after school on Mondays. Next, Warden Williams asks to see Moose. Moose must help the Warden's son, Piper with projects. Moose does a poor job at this .Moose's mom begins to teach piano lessons to earn some extra money. Everyday Moose has to babyait Natalie. She often goes wild. One day Moose asks the Warden if he can help Natalie get into a special school. The warden says , "No!" Moose writes a letter to Al Capone,a murderer on the island. Al does the island's laundry. The letter asks Al Capone to help Natalie get into a special school. Moose hopes Al responds.
This book was very good. I would recommend it to students in 6th or 7th grade
Book Review: Not Just for Kids
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book for both older children and adults as a highly original work of historical fiction. In 1935 twelve-year-old Moose and his family move to Alcatraz Island where his father works as a guard. But part of their motivation to the relocation is to get Moose's sister Natalie into a prestigious school in the area for children with special needs. Natalie suffers from what would now be identified as Autism, but some factors keep her from acceptance, which devastates their mother. Moose is then encumbered with the responsibility of looking after Natalie, which is quite a burden on such a young boy who wants nothing more than to play baseball with his classmates and run around with the other children on the island. His fellow kids on Alcatraz are a motley group, including the warden's daughter whose schemes and plots are more than just innocent fun.
It is a well-written, imaginative book that demonstrates patience and tolerance. Plus Choldenko's afterward is helpful in distinguishing fact from fiction during this period in history. While Al Capone is not a character in the book, his presence is always felt and his influence bolsters Moose's determination. I hope people share this book with readers young and old for its candor, humor and sincerity.
Book Review: A wonderful sort of fantasy
Summary: 5 Stars
It is difficult for me to know what to say about a book like this, one that means a great deal to me personally. Set During the Great Depression, Moose is 12 years old, and his father has just gotten a job as an electrician on Alcatraz Island. His mother teaches piano lessons sometimes, and when she does, that means he has to watch his sister after school. Only it isn't like Moose has to watch his little sister, instead Moose has to watch his big sister, Natalie, who is really almost 16, but Moose's mother insists on pretending that Natalie is younger than Moose. Natalie is developmentally disabled and there is a school in San Francisco that can help kids with her difficulties, but in order for Natalie to go to that school they must pretend she is 10 and Moose has to stay out of trouble so his father can keep his job. But when he gets into trouble because the warden's daughter is always scheming, that can be a difficult decree to follow, especially since his mother has demands of her own. With the various demands of all the woman around him, Moose just might need the help of the world's most notorious gangster, Al Capone, to stay out of trouble. At the end, the story indulges in a bit of alternative history. Highly Recommended.Book Review: Al Capone Does My Shirts
Summary: 5 Stars
The setting for this book is by far one of the most original I've ever read. You don't need to be a history fanatic to enjoy the iconic island of Alcatraz. This is the perfect kid book. It has all the elements of childhood; a great group of friends, strong family ties, and just the right amount of mischief. When Moose's dad gets a job as an electrician at the infamous prison, the family moves to the island, affording little sister Natalie a chance at a special needs school in San Francisco. Suddenly Dad is always busy, Mom's days are full of taking care of Natalie, and Moose spends his time exploring "the rock." When the warden's troublemaker daughter dreams up a scheme to charge kids at school money to have their laundry washed by gangster Al Capone, Moose goes along with it. But will it get his family kicked off the island for good? Gennifer Choldenko nailed the voice of 12-year-old Moose. Readers will especially like the map of Alcatraz included at the beginning of the book. This is one of those books that stays with you for a long time after you've closed it and put it back on your shelf.
--Reviewed By Kerry O'Malley Cerra