BIBLIOGRAPHY
Choldenko, Gennifer. 2004. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN-10: 0142403709 ISBN-13: 978-0142403709

PLOT SUMMARY
Here is a story about coming of age with more pressures than a normal kid should deal with. It is 1935. Moose Flannagan and his family have moved again, this time to Alcatraz Island, where his father has taken a job as an electrician and prison guard. Leaving his best friend Pete has left Moose feeling depressed and mad, because his sister Natalie, who is autistic, has an opportunity to enter the Ester P. Marinoff School, where she can finally receive the help she needs. His mother is willing to try anything to help Natalie, including voodoo, prayers, moving away from family and friends and having Moose take his sister with him everywhere he goes. As you can imagine, living on an island with the most dangerous criminals does have an appeal to the other students at the school Moose attends in San Francisco. Moose also has to deal with the enterprising warden’s daughter, Piper, who does no wrong in her father’s eyes, but is quick to bully the other children on the island into her schemes. Ultimately Piper comes up with a plan that involves Al Capone, who has a hand in helping Natalie get into the school that will help her. The title alone should entice you into wanting to find out more.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gennifer Choldenko got the idea for Al Capone Does My Shirts from an article she read in the San Francisco Chronicle about the prison guard families who grew up on Alcatraz Island. She includes a wonderful historic photograph of Alcatraz Island that reads like a map of where everyone lives and what the names of the buildings were. This really is a great way for the reader to connect with Moose and visualize what his living conditions were like during 1935, while comparing the differences and similarities to present day. It will be easy for readers - young and old - to relate to the struggles that Moose faces, empathize with him and celebrate how much he has contributed to his sister’s success. Here is a young boy who truly cares for his family while dealing with everyday issues and challenges that most children don’t encounter. It is always refreshing to experience compassion towards others while enjoying a happy ending.

Ms. Choldenko includes an author’s note at the end of the story with historical facts about the island and an explanation of autism. She dedicates the book to her sister, Gina Johnson who had a severe form of autism.

Book designed by Gina DiMassi. Text set in Caslon.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8--In this appealing novel set in 1935, 12-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family move from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island where his father gets a job as an electrician at the prison and his mother hopes to send his autistic older sister to a special school in San Francisco. When Natalie is rejected by the school, Moose is unable to play baseball because he must take care of her, and her unorthodox behavior sometimes lands him in hot water. He also comes to grief when he reluctantly goes along with a moneymaking scheme dreamed up by the warden's pretty but troublesome daughter. Family dilemmas are at the center of the story, but history and setting--including plenty of references to the prison's most infamous inmate, mob boss Al Capone--play an important part, too. The Flanagan family is believable in the way each member deals with Natalie and her difficulties, and Moose makes a sympathetic main character. The story, told with humor and skill, will fascinate readers with an interest in what it was like for the children of prison guards and other workers to actually grow up on Alcatraz Island.--Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
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. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

CONNECTIONS
Sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts
Choldenko, Gennifer. AL Capone Shines My Shoes. ISBN-10: 0803734603 ISBN-13: 978-0803734609
Alcatraz History 1
http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm
Alcatraz History 2
http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/rs1.htm
Alcatraz Facts the True History of Alcatraz Island
http://www.sftravel.com/Alcatraz1950on.html
Al Capone
http://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone.html
Teacher Lessons
http://www.alcaponedoesmyshirts.com/teachers/ideas_shirts_01.html

AWARDS/HONORS
A Newbery Honor Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Book
People magazine Best Kids’ Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Editor’s Choice
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
A Junior Library Guild selection
A Children’s BOMC selection