Al Capone Does My Shirts

Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. 2004. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Moose Flanagan and his family moved to Alcatraz on January 4, 1935. His father got a job as a prison guard on the island and his mother wanted to move there so that his sister Natalie, could attend the Esther P. Marinoff School. Natalie is a sixteen year old autistic girl who's mother will do anything possible to find a "cure" for her daughter. Moose's mother has tried all sorts of medicines, doctors, treatments, and even sent away for some special voodoo dolls all in the effort to help her. Natalie fails her initial interview at the school, and it is left up to Moose to take care of her. He takes her everywhere he goes and is left to deal with her tantrums all by himself. While on the island, Moose meets some of the other kids that live there and together they form a circle of friends that seem to always be coming up with schemes that involves the inmates from Alcatraz.

This historical fiction novel is told in such a way that the readers think that this plot could actually be happening in today's time period. It is the story of a typical family that has to deal with a sibling or child with a mental disability. The reader learns the struggles that each family has to face, and yet we get to see a glimpse of what life was like living on the island of Alcatraz during the 1930's through the eyes of children. This story is funny, sad, lighthearted, and yet deals with some pretty emotional topics. The bonds that form between Natalie and Moose and sure to be felt by the readers.