Our children’s book of the month for August is Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Al Capone – the blurb
When Moose Flanagan and his family move home, yet again, and become residents of the famous prison island Alcatraz, things get interesting. First of all, they share the island with a few other families and a lot of pretty heavy-duty criminals including Al Capone. And secondly, Moose’s sister is starting a new school, which everyone hopes will help her become more integrated with those around her. When Moose comes up with some pretty cunning money-making schemes based on his famous co-residents, he does not count on his sister becoming inadvertently involved.
Should I be worried about Scarface?
I was a little dubious about picking this book as I wasn’t sure how far it would delve into Al Capone. My daughter, who read the book after me, accepted a brief explanation: ‘An American Gangster who sold alcohol when it was illegal, rose to the top of his gang and possibly killed a load of people but was never convicted’ This satisfied her, after all he was at Alcatraz for something boring – tax evasion (explaining what this was proved much harder). So if you’re worried about the content I wouldn’t be. There is a vague nod to possible wrong doing between Moose’s sister and an inmate but all that is actually ever specifically talked about is hand holding. All in all for a book about a high security prison it’s relatively tame.
‘Done’
The book itself is a good read. I immediately liked Moose and really felt his frustrations in relation to his mother. As a parent I can completely understand the hardships his mother must have gone through with Natalie however through Moose’s eyes some of her actions were pretty unforgivable.
My favorite part of the book was probably the ending although I really enjoyed seeing Natalie’s progress. Choldenko went just far enough for it all to have been possible. The way she blended fiction with fact was expertly done and you really wanted to believe that the note Moose receives is true. By the way prisoner 105 was a real person, I’ll let you look up who he was…
Book club questions
+++ These questions contain spoilers and should only be used if you have read the book already!+++
- The book is based on a real prison in San Francisco. Which country is San Francisco in? Can you find it on a map?
- Al Capone is also a real person. Often books are based on real people (think The Austen Girls). If you could read a book about one person who would it be and why?
- Give Natalie a date and she can tell you what day of the week it was on. What day of the week were you born on? Can you find out what day of the week 21 April 1926 was? Do you know who was born on that day?
- What did you think of Moose’s mom and dad? Did you like both of them? Did you think they were good parents? Were they good parents to Natalie?
- What do you think it would be like to live on a prison? Can you think of any other strange places to live?
- This is the first book we have read that has a bibliography at the back, something usually found in non fiction books only. What does this tell you about the book?
If you would like to join in with our Children’s Book of the Month keep your eyes peeled when we announce September’s book in a few days time. Our review with book club questions is usually posted on the last Monday of the month and you can check out previous book of the months such as Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm by clicking on the Young Adult/Kids button at the top of our Home Page.
