Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Tales from Alcatraz)

Al Capone Shines My Shoes, by Gennifer Choldenko, is the second book in the series. The first book is called Al Capone Does My Shirts and was mostly for character development. My rating for Al Capone Shines My Shoes is 4 stars. The reason for this is that there is not as much action as I would like in a book like this. There are only short bursts of intense action and suspense. I really loved the book because of the characters that are very realistic and you can relate to. In addition, the book is a good length and it leaves you feeling like someone that lives on Alcatraz because you know so much about the island. The book is for both genders. It is for boys because the main character is a boy and you see the island through him. It is a girl book because many of the side characters are girls.
The story is about seven children and their parents who live on Alcatraz Island. The reason they are there is because their dads work on the island as doctors, guards, electricians, and of course, the warden. The main character, Mathew Flanagan, called Moose by all his friends, is the son of an electrician on the island. One of the conflicts he has in the book is caring for his autistic sister, Natalie, who is a very smart individual in her own way. She always seems to get into situations with the convicts living on the island and eventually is tied up in a convict's plan to escape. "Passmen", which are convicts that work in the warden's mansion, play an important role throughout the book and add an element of fear. The non-chalant funniness and suspenseful moments all combine to make a book that is a must-read for all teens.

This Book is amazing, its about a boy named Moose Flanagan. He lives in Alcatraz, a high security prison on an island outside of San Francisco. Moose's family has some of the prisoners do some of their chores, like laundry. One day, Moose sends a note in his dirty laundry to Al Capone who is an infamous criminal and inmate in Alcatraz. The note was about how Moose's sister wants to go to a school but can't get in.

The rest of the story you have to read. Great book, I would read it again!

Gennifer Choldenko has now written two interesting teen books that neatly combine coming-of-age in the 30s with history of San Francisco and that notorious prison, Alcatraz.

Moose Flannigan's father has uprooted the family to take a job as an electrician and a prison guard, and the events and conditions affecting any youngster trying to adapt to a new living environment, especially one housing the nation's best-known criminals, leads to an entertaining and interesting book. Because of security and other concerns, guards actually lived on the island with their families, and certain conditions needed to be met for those visiting and leaving the prison site.

Obviously the book has been written with teens in mind since it introduces elements of puppy love, fear, adventure, and decision-making. But adults will find this (and the initial "Al Capone Does My shirts") enjoyable.

Both stories tell interesting facts about the island, conditions there, prison and guard duties, family living conditions, etc.; and the author includes notes at the end of each book explain what situations and incidences are gleamed from actual historical facts. Both are written from a teen boy's perspective, and include numerous humorous comments and observations that keep the story going.

Anyone interested in the Depression-era or curious about the people and conditions on the island of Acatraz will find these books enjoyable.

Great characterization and well developed story line. It is a great read for all age groups, but particularly fun for 5-9 grade kids. These historically based novels add a little bit of nostalgia about the amazing structures and way of life nearly 80 years ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series to myself, as well as, reading and sharing the experience with my kids.

I thought it would be impossible to write another book as exciting and witty as Al Capone Does My Shirts, but I was wrong! From start to finish, I could not put this book down! Through the adventures the author presents important lessons in life: "Sometimes making trouble is the right thing to do." A must read for readers in grades 5-8.

Moose is suffering the aftermath of Al Capone's favor. Thinks are looking down and he's having to be quite secretive. Al Capone has done Moose Flannigan a favor, like shining his shoes. But now Moose has to return it...