Choldenko, Gennifer. 2004. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN: 0-399-23861-1.
This novel by Gennifer Choldenko tackles all sorts of issues in just 215 pages. Seventh grader Moose Flannigan deals with all the troubles of moving - losing old friends, making new ones, starting a new school, and learning his way around his new home - which happens to be the convict infested island, and penitentiary, of Alcatraz. To complicate matters, Moose has an older sister named Natalie that requires much of his family's attention. When given the job of watching Natalie, it means sacrificing his beloved game of baseball and his freedom. Moose deals with feelings of anger towards Natalie, his parents, his friends, and then grows up a little when neighboring kids accept Natalie for who she is (undetermined at the time - but autistic by today's definition). Trials and tribulations are the meat of this story - choosing right over wrong, growing into acceptance, and knowing when to speak up are threads throughout each chapter. This book dazzles with mention of such notorious convicts as Al Capone, Scarface Al and Machine Gun Kelly - all permanent residents of Alcatraz. A map of the island and closing author's note bring the story full-circle.
No comments:
Post a Comment