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Al Capone Does My Shirts By Gennifer Choldenko ( Amazon Remainders Account )
Release Date: 2004-03-01
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $15.99
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Product Description
Murderers, mob bosses, and convicts . . . these guys are not your average neighbors. Unless you live on Alcatraz. It’s 1935 and twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family have just moved to the infamous island that’s home to criminals like notorious escapee Roy Gardner, Machine Gun Kelly, and of course, Al Capone. Now Moose has to try to fit in at his new school, avoid getting caught up in one of the warden’s daughter’s countless plots, and keep an eye on his sister Natalie, who’s not like other kids. All Moose wants to do is protect Natalie, live up to his parents’ expectations, and stay out of trouble. But on Alcatraz, trouble is never very far away. A Newbery Honor Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Book
People magazine Best Kids’ Book
A School Library JournalBest 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
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 A review for Al Capone does my Shirts
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
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 A Teacher's Perspective
Al Capone Does my Shirts is a Newbery Honor book that fits into the Historical Fiction genre because it is set in 1935 and is true to that time period. It all begins when a family moves to Alcatraz Island for work. The main character, a young boy called Moose, struggles with the realities of coping with an older sister who is autistic.
This story was captivating! From the first chapter I was hooked. The setting and situation are believable, yet unexpected. I'd never considered that guards' families had to live on the island with the infamous prisoners. In fact, after reading the author's notes at the end of the book, I spoke with a woman who'd experienced living on Alcatraz as a young child...she reported that the book was very accurate.
Natalie's autism adds another element to the tale and allows young readers a window into the realities of siblings with special needs. In the classroom, this book could be an introduction to a study of Alcatraz Island and the history of the institution there as well as its current condition. Alternately, it could be paired with other books with themes of sibling relationships or special needs family members. Fiction provides a wonderful vehicle for students to explore the realities of living with special needs and to develop empathy in this area.
In short, I would highly recommend this book...in fact I have!
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A Great Read! ( sandra305 )
I thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the characters! It was refreshing to meet a dad I actually liked for a change and I loved Moose and his friends. Moose's relationship with his autistic sister Natalie was particularly appealing and the setting (Alcatraz) was a stroke of genius.
Highly Recommended!
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Fitting In Can be Murder ( monkimom )
Moose Flanagan has just moved to Alcatraz. His father has gotten a job as an electrician at the most notorious prison in the United States. You would think Moose would be excited, but he isn't. Instead, Moose must watch over his autistic sister, Natalie, while trying to avoid the warden's scheming daughter, Piper.
Moose's problems multiply when he catches Natalie holding hands with Prisoner 105. Is Natalie safe on the island? Who is Prisoner 105? Moose enlists the help of the notorious Al Capone in an attempt to keep Natalie in school and off the island.
This is one of the best examples of juvenile fiction I have read in a long time. I am always on the lookout for books that will catch the attention of `reluctant readers,' and this book does just that. The character of Moose is a typical preteen boy - his feelings for his family conflict with his own growing interests. He must choose what is important to him - baseball or Natalie. Ultimately, he make the wise decision and cares for the sister he loves.
Although fiction, the novel has a basis in reality - guards and their families did live on Alcatraz Island, Al Capone did work in the prison laundry, and civilians did interact with some prisoners. Choldenko has included this and other information in the `Author's Note' at the end of the book. This section sheds some light on `life on the rock' and is a great link between the historical information and the novel itself.
This novel will capture your child's imagination. I highly recommend it.
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Al Capone Does My Shirts
Moose Flanagan left his home, his school and his baseball team behind when his dad was hired as a guard on Alcatraz Island in 1935, prompting a move for the whole family. Moose's older sister, Natalie, is severely autistic, and his dad took the job to put them all closer to a program that claims to be able to "cure" her. Now Moose is working to make new friends, including the warden's daughter who has a knack for getting into trouble, and find his place in his family while coming to terms with his sister's illness.
Al Capone Does My Shirts takes us through the difficulty of being 12 and trying to fit into a new life while giving us a great glimpse of Alcatraz in the 1930s when infamous criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly were residents on "The Rock." Moose's authentic voice is delightful to follow as he weaves his story and comes to terms with his new situation.
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Addiction
