93 pages • 3 hours read
Gennifer CholdenkoAl Capone Does My Shirts
Fiction | Novel | Middle GradeA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, Moose Flanagan's family moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 due to his father's job at the prison, aiming to afford better care for Moose’s sister Natalie, who is on the autism spectrum. Though Moose initially dislikes the move, he becomes involved in a scheme led by Piper, the warden's daughter, and works to help Natalie get into a special school, encountering various challenges and growth along the way.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko offers a unique blend of historical fiction and coming-of-age narrative set in 1930s Alcatraz. Readers appreciate its rich historical context and engaging storyline. However, some find the secondary characters underdeveloped. Overall, it balances humor and serious themes adeptly, making it suitable for younger audiences.
Who Should Read Al Capone Does My Shirts?
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a mix of humor and family dynamics will appreciate Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Fans of books like Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis or Holes by Louis Sachar will find its unique setting during the 1930s on Alcatraz Island intriguing and its heartwarming story engaging.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
600LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Children's Literature