Bibliography
Choldenko, G. (2004). Al Capone does my shirts. New York: Scholastic.
228 pages including the author’s afterward.
Plot
Moose is a 7th grader who has just moved to Alcatraz Island in 1935 on account of his father getting a job as an electrician and guard. Moose does not like the idea of leaving Santa Monica and living with cons. He meets some of the children on the island, namely the warden’s daughter, Piper, who is conniving, but none who he can initially see as a friend. Moose’s family life, however, is very different. His sister Natalie has an unnamed disorder, which would probably be diagnosed as Autism, today. Having little understanding of how to help Natalie, the father treats her like she is still 10, when she is actually older than Moose. Living on Alcatraz is anything but easy as Moose is soon to find out.
Review
Choldenko’s novel Al Capone Does My Shirts is a moving story about family life on Alcatraz. The author’s treatment not only of Moose’s character as well as that of his sister Natalie is genuine and revealing. Moose’s need to be understood by his parents and friends are often at odds with the responsibilities put at his feet. Nevertheless, Moose does not shirk away from these needs. His treatment of his sister is that of a loving brother, one who does not always understand her but strives to understand her to the best of his ability. This is especially evident by his continued efforts to do what’s best for her and resentment towards anyone who does not treat her with respect. Through these efforts Moose not only learns about his sister, but his friends, parents, and himself.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in grades 5 – 7.
Similar Content
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
Almost Eden by Anita Horrocks
Choldenko, G. (2004). Al Capone does my shirts. New York: Scholastic.
228 pages including the author’s afterward.
Plot
Moose is a 7th grader who has just moved to Alcatraz Island in 1935 on account of his father getting a job as an electrician and guard. Moose does not like the idea of leaving Santa Monica and living with cons. He meets some of the children on the island, namely the warden’s daughter, Piper, who is conniving, but none who he can initially see as a friend. Moose’s family life, however, is very different. His sister Natalie has an unnamed disorder, which would probably be diagnosed as Autism, today. Having little understanding of how to help Natalie, the father treats her like she is still 10, when she is actually older than Moose. Living on Alcatraz is anything but easy as Moose is soon to find out.
Review
Choldenko’s novel Al Capone Does My Shirts is a moving story about family life on Alcatraz. The author’s treatment not only of Moose’s character as well as that of his sister Natalie is genuine and revealing. Moose’s need to be understood by his parents and friends are often at odds with the responsibilities put at his feet. Nevertheless, Moose does not shirk away from these needs. His treatment of his sister is that of a loving brother, one who does not always understand her but strives to understand her to the best of his ability. This is especially evident by his continued efforts to do what’s best for her and resentment towards anyone who does not treat her with respect. Through these efforts Moose not only learns about his sister, but his friends, parents, and himself.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in grades 5 – 7.
Similar Content
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
Almost Eden by Anita Horrocks
Personal thoughts
Having little understanding of what Al Capone Does My Shirts was about, I was surprised at the actual plot of the story. While I am not sure that parents in the 1930s would have gone to the same lengths that the Flanagan’s went through not to institutionalize their daughter, Choldenko’s story feels real.
Subjects/themes
1930s
Family Life
Autism
Middle School
Friendship
Awards
Newbery Award Winner
Series information
Choldenko has written a sequel, Al Capone Shines My Shoes.
Character names/descriptions
Moose: A 7th grader who lives on Alcatraz. Takes care of Natalie after school.
Natalie: Moose’s 16-year-old sister, who is autistic. In order to come to terms with her disability, her parents treat her as if she is 10.
Piper: The warden’s daughter and the same age as Moose. Cute, but likes to push the envelope.
Annotation
Living on with most notorious criminal in the 1930s, Moose must come to terms with living on Alcatraz with Al Capone, and learning how to help his autistic sister, Natalie.
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