AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS

by Gennifer Choldenko (5th+)

The year is 1935 and Moose Flanagan’s family just moved to a new house on a nice secluded island. They’ve moved here in order for his sister to attend a specific school that is nearby. His sister is not like other kids and she needs help. But he hates the move and all of the attention he gets because of his new home. What is so special about his home? It’s on Alcatraz. Alcatraz is the famous island that is home to many famous murderers, mob bosses, and convicts such as Roy Gardner, Machine Gun Kelly, and Al Capone. He’s moved here because his father got a job as a prison guard/electrician and in the year 1935 the warden liked having the guards readily available in case of an escape. So guards and their families all lived on Alcatraz. Moose is twelve years old and not only does he have to deal with his sister being different and his family being stressed but he also has to deal with the fact that he now lives on Alcatraz island surrounded by convicts and murderers. Then there is the wardens daughter, Piper, who in herself is sure to get him in trouble. She always has a new scheme to make some money. Like the time she made money from selling Al Capones laundry service to all of the kids at the school. Can Moose make it living on Alcatraz with his somewhat strange sister and stay out of trouble with a friend like Piper? Find out when you read Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko.

*Al Capone Does My Shirts is a fictional story but many of the facts and details about life on Alcatraz are true.