Al Capone Does My Shirts (Al Capone at Alcatraz #1)

Hunter Scweiger

Book Review

Do you need a great book to read? I have got it. Al Capone Does My Shirts is a great book for you to read. First, the book Al Capone Does My Shirts is really good because it has mystery and hilarious humor in it. The funny part is when he describes his apartment building as sitting on a big rock covered in bird turd. The book is a mystery because they are tying to figure out who is prisoner “105”. Last, Al Capone Does My Shirts is a great Newberry honor book. Also, it was on the 2005 to 2006 Caudill book list. Doesn’t Al Capone Does My Shirts sound like a great book?

Reader reviewed by mike

I just finished reading Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. The book is about Moose Flanigan, his family and their life on the island of Alcatraz in 1935. Moose has a disabled sister and he doesnt have a chance to be a normal kid because his parents are always working and he has to watch his sister. When Moose teams up with the other kids on Alcatraz, they tend to get into a lot of trouble! Want to know more? Then read this book!


I rated this book a big fat 3.5 out of 5 because I thought it was really interesting to learn about life on Alcatraz. I also liked learning about problems that the characters faced. I think anyone in middle school would enjoy this book. If you like to read, you will enjoy this book too.

Reader reviewed by kori .L

I just finished reading a book called Al Capone Dose My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. It is about a boy named Moose and his family and how they move to Alcatraz. Alcatraz is a dark, scary island surrounded by deep, icy waters and it also has a prison with criminals. Moose has a disabled sister and he doesnt think its the best place for her.


Moose gets in lots of trouble with his new friends and almost gets kicked off the island, which would cause his father to lose his job. I dont want to ruin the book for you, so I cant tell you anymore-I guess youll have to read this book and see for yourself how it all ends up. I rated this book a 4.2 out of 5 because its very interesting, the description is great through out the whole book. Choldenko taught me a lot that I didnt know through her book Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Reader reviewed by Amanda

"Al Capone Does My Shirts," by Gennifer Choldenko, was a book that I have passed by for the past year or so, never before being interested. I finally picked it up and am SO glad that I did!


The story begins when Moose's family moves from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island in order for his father to begin a job at the prison. Moose hated leaving his friends behind, but soon begins making acquaintances with the other children living on the island. The only issue standing in his way to becoming a normal kid that fits in with the other kids is his very "abnormal" sister Natalie. In today's terms it would be said that Natalie had autism, but in the 1930's she is simply deemed as being odd and Moose is in charge of her well-being while his parents work. With Natalie constantly following him, Moose and his new friends make the attempt to make contact with some of the famous inmates of Alcatraz prison, including the infamous Al Capone.


Choldenko created a story that is very much a reality in a lot of kids lives, even in today's terms. The characters are real, as are their situations. Moose is a kid that really wants to fit in, meaning he will get himself into many mishaps, but always trying to do what is morally right. He loves his sister and only wants the best for her, vowing to do anything to try and get her a normal life. I really loved the characterization of this story, not to mention the unique plot line. I would definitely read other books by this author and hope she has something new out soon!

Reader reviewed by Sosha

This story is so humorous I laughed out loud several times at the characters blunt comments and at all the trouble Moose seemed to get himself into. Although the plot deals with the difficult topic of Natalies disability, there is a great deal of compassion in the characters and humor in the other sections, allowing the book to remain light hearted. The portrayal of Natalie is also quite accurate for a person suffering from autism.

Reader reviewed by Cheryl

This is a piece of historical fiction that is definately worth reading. It describes the life of the Malone family who move to the infamous Alcatraz prison. The family consists of a Dad, Mom, Moose (nicknamed because the size of his body and heart), and Natalie (who has some sort of autism and has, according to mom, been perpetually 9 for many years). The move serves 2 primary purposes: Dad got a job as a prison guard there, and, more importantly, Natalie can hopefully be admitted to a special school that Mom hopes will make her better. Unfortunately, neither of these purposes are particularly beneficial to Moose.

Moose is reminded daily of the lore of Alcatraz's famous inmates by his classmates back on the mainland and by the warden's mischevious daughter on the lonely rock. Eventually, Natalie's problems intensify and force Moose to seek help from the most unlikely source.

This story is told in a charming, funny, yet sensitive way. History is seamlessly integrated with the fictional story which makes for a fun and informative read.

I would caution readers that the pace of this book slows WAY down in the middle of the book for about 3-4 chapters. However, if you can get through those chapters, the ending is extremely satisfying.

This is a good read for 10 and up.