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Al Capone Does My Shirts

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1935
I want to be on Alcatraz like I want poison oak on my private parts. But apparently nobody cares, because now I’m Moose Flanagan, Alcatraz Island Boy–all so my sister can go to the Esther P. Marinoff School, where kids wear their clothes inside out and there isn’t a book in sight. Obedient Moose. I always do what I’m supposed to do.

When Moose’s family moves to Alcatraz Island so his father can work as a guard and his sister can attend a special school in San Francisco, he has to leave his friends behind. But it’s worth it, right? If his sister, Natalie, can get help, maybe his family will finally be normal.

But on Alcatraz his dad is so busy, he’s never around. His mom’s preoccupation with Natalie’s condition (today, it would be called autism) is even worse now that there’s no extended family to help. And of course, there’s never enough money.

When Moose meets Piper, the cute daughter of the warden, he knows right off she’s trouble. But she’s also strangely irresistible. 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.
  • WINNER
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Book
  • WINNER
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • WINNER
    New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
  • WINNER
    Newbery Honor Book
  • WINNER
    Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Adult
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2006
    Newbery Honor Books
  • SELECTION | 2005
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2005
    ALSC Notable Children's Recordings
  • SELECTION | 2005
    YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
  • HONOR | 2005
    Newbery Honor Books
"Choldenko's pacing is exquisite. . . . [A] great read."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
© Patricia Leeds
Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period; and Al Capone Shines My Shoes. View titles by Gennifer Choldenko

About

1935
I want to be on Alcatraz like I want poison oak on my private parts. But apparently nobody cares, because now I’m Moose Flanagan, Alcatraz Island Boy–all so my sister can go to the Esther P. Marinoff School, where kids wear their clothes inside out and there isn’t a book in sight. Obedient Moose. I always do what I’m supposed to do.

When Moose’s family moves to Alcatraz Island so his father can work as a guard and his sister can attend a special school in San Francisco, he has to leave his friends behind. But it’s worth it, right? If his sister, Natalie, can get help, maybe his family will finally be normal.

But on Alcatraz his dad is so busy, he’s never around. His mom’s preoccupation with Natalie’s condition (today, it would be called autism) is even worse now that there’s no extended family to help. And of course, there’s never enough money.

When Moose meets Piper, the cute daughter of the warden, he knows right off she’s trouble. But she’s also strangely irresistible. 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.

Awards

  • WINNER
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Book
  • WINNER
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • WINNER
    New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
  • WINNER
    Newbery Honor Book
  • WINNER
    Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Adult
  • WINNER
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2006
    Newbery Honor Books
  • SELECTION | 2005
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • SELECTION | 2005
    ALSC Notable Children's Recordings
  • SELECTION | 2005
    YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
  • HONOR | 2005
    Newbery Honor Books

Reviews

"Choldenko's pacing is exquisite. . . . [A] great read."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Author

© Patricia Leeds
Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period; and Al Capone Shines My Shoes. View titles by Gennifer Choldenko