Al Capone Does My Shirts
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4.3 • 398 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
The Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner, but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history. Al Capone Does My Shirts has become an instant classic for all kids to read!
Today I moved to Alcatraz, a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I'm not the only kid who lives here. There are twenty-three other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cooks or doctors or electricians for the prison, like my dad does. And then there are a ton of murderers, rapists, hit men, con men, stickup men, embezzlers, connivers, burglars, kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two, though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons don't want. I never knew prisons could be picky, but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless you're me. I came here because my mother said I had to.
A Newbery Honor Book
A New York Times Bestseller
A People magazine "Best kid's Book"
An ALA Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Krikus Reviews Editor's Choice
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Parents' Choice Silver Honor Book
A New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing" Selection
A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age
*"Choldenko's pacing is exquisite. . . . [A] great read."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
*"Exceptionally atmospheric, fast-paced and memorable!"—Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"The story, told with humor and skill, will fascinate readers."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Al is the perfect novel for a young guy or moll who digs books by Gordon Korman, or Louis Sachar."—Time Out New York for Kids
"Funny situations and plot twists abound!"—People magazine
"Heartstopping in some places, heartrending in others, and most of all, it is heartwarming."—San Francisco Chronicle
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In the 1930s, Alcatraz wasn’t just home to criminals—there were also around 50 employees who lived on the island with their families. In this historical novel, Gennifer Choldenko imagines what life was like for the kids of those prison workers. The story revolves around 12-year-old Moose, whose world is turned upside down when his father accepts a job on the Rock. Navigating the dual pressures of making new friends and helping his sister who has special needs, Moose grows up and learns what’s important. Al Capone Does My Shirts is a compassionate coming-of-age story with some hard edges, making it a captivating read for middle-school kids.
Customer Reviews
An acceptable book.
It was cool to see what happened to Moose but it was kind of lame because Piper was even more creepier than the previous book.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
This was one of the best books I ever read. Great beginning middle and end!!!!
Wow!
I really loved this book.One of my favorites.Next stop, Al Capone Shines My Shoes : )