Al Capone Does My Shirts

by Gennifer Choldenko

This book takes place during the Great Depression, when jobs are hard to come by. Moose (a 12 year boy) is forced to move with his family to Alcatraz, when his father gets a job there. His father works long hours, and his mother takes a job too. Moose is put in charge of his autistic sister, Natalie. There is a beautiful relationship between Moose and Natalie, and how he helps deal with her obsessive behavior and temper tantrums. There are other children on the island that Moose makes friends with, and there is basket of trouble- Piper. Piper is the beautiful but scheming daughther of the warden. One of her many schemes is charging their classmates for the opportunity to have their laundry done by the inmates.
The book is a short read, and told from the viewpoint of Moose. I love the family relationships in the this book. Moose has a very good solid relationship with his father. It is great to read a book where the father is loving, and cares so much for his family. It is an uplifting read!