Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Al Capone at Alcatraz #2)

by Gennifer Choldenko (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 2,754 ratings · 468 reviews

Moose and the cons are about to get a lot closer in this much-anticipated sequel. It?s 1935. Moose Flanagan lives on Alcatraz with his family, the other families of the guards, and a few hundred no-name hit men, con men, mad dog murderers and a handful of bank robbers too. And one of those cons has just done him a big favor.

You see, Moose has never met Al Capone, but a few...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published September 8th 2009 by Dial

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

2009 MUST READS: Children's and YA

43rd out of 270 books — 739 voters

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Newbery 2010

7th out of 104 books — 454 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 26, 2012 Jenn Ginder rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

There were a lot of things about this sequel that worked better, but I felt like I wanted there to be more to Moose. The author states that Moose is a pleaser, but I felt like I didn't get a good enough window into Moose's internal conflict about this - or as much as I would have liked.
I liked what the author did with Natalie in this book. It was interesting to see how she progressed as she settled into her visit from Ester P. Marinoff and see her become more than a helpless character.
The author...more

like 3 likes · see review

Mar 05, 2013 MEGGGGGG :D rated it 5 of 5 stars

Imagine, it's a nice peaceful day on your home, Alcatraz Island. Then, you notice a little piece of paper in your shirt pocket. You unfold it, and in little letters it says, done. All of the sudden, you owe the most noterious gangster in the world. This is what happens to a 12 year old boy named Moose. Moose lives with his family on Alcatraz, in 1935. His autistic sister, Natalie, just got into a special school that's supposed to help her. But the only reason she got into the school was because...more

like · see review

Nov 29, 2012 Ethan rated it 5 of 5 stars

al Capone shines my shoes written by Gennifer Choldenko. This book is about a boy named moose who lives on Alcatraz island home of the worst criminals in the world. His adventure started when al Capone who is known as the greatest criminal writes a note to moose. he had gotten moose's sister Natalie into the esther p. Marinoff school. During the book moose tries to find out why Al Capone got Natalie into the school. every thing falls together when the warden was having a big party. Natalie ran a...more

like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Andrea Mullarkey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

What’s not to like about easy, breezy historical fiction for young teens? Moose Flanagan is the son of a guard on Alcatraz and lives on the island with his family and the families of the other guards. The kids of these guards form a small group of friends like the little groups that form in school classrooms with favorites and least favorites, dramas and intrigues. The only difference is they do all of it within view of some of the roughest prisoners in the United States. When Moose asks the mos...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 05, 2012 Shana Dempsey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Moose and his friends are at it again causing trouble on the island of Alcatraz. After Moose finds a note in his pillow case when he goes to bed from the famous Al Capone, he knows he has no choice. Moose, Piper, Theresa, Scout, Natalie and all of the others on the island are all in for a a wild ride after the Warden's party!

Moose goes on the ferry and gives Mae Capone yellow roses (as his note directs him to) when he is on his way back from visiting Natalie. However, this is only the beginning...more Moose and his friends are at it again causing trouble on the island of Alcatraz. After Moose finds a note in his pillow case when he goes to bed from the famous Al Capone, he knows he has no choice. Moose, Piper, Theresa, Scout, Natalie and all of the others on the island are all in for a a wild ride after the Warden's party!

Moose goes on the ferry and gives Mae Capone yellow roses (as his note directs him to) when he is on his way back from visiting Natalie. However, this is only the beginning of the adventures for the gang. When Natalie comes home for one of her breaks from school, Moose and his friends find a bar spreader in Natalie's suitcase!! They try to get rid of it, but things only get worse. This book is filled with more adventure and kept me on the seat of my pants because I was so worried something was going to happen to Moose or even worse, to Natalie!

As a reader, I throughout enjoyed this book. I thought this book was better than the first one because it tied up many of the loose ends that left you hanging in the first book. In this book, you find out more about Natalie, who Moose really likes and why he kisses who he does (of course, I don't want to spoil it!) and you have more interaction between the characters and the inmates than the first book. I think that's why I like this book more is that there is more adventure. Al Capone does my Shirts had adventure in it, but it took a while in the book to get to a point that had a lot of suspense.

As a reacher, I'm not sure if and how I would teach this book. I don't see teachers teach a series of books in their classroom, probably because if a student doesn't like one book, they are not forced to read the second and that way you can keep your students from hating reading. However, it doesn't mean that I can't find a way to do it. This book has some life lessons it in, at least I think, that could help middle school students with differences and bullying and even some romance. I think that in the hands of the right teacher, this book could be taught and enjoyed in middle school classrooms. If I could not find a way to teach this, I would at least include a few copies on my shelf for my students to read if they picked it up. :)(less)

like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Kole Soto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Al Capone Does my Shirts & Shines my Shoes is a great novel to read. Not my very favorite, but very god still. It's a little to easy to understand without much puzzles. Well, that isn't including Piper. With her prodigious ego, love for trouble, and the fact her dad is the Warden of Alcatraz it's easy to see why. Even Mr. Flanagan is puzzled by Piper and would much rather let Moose deal with her. "She's a wild one. Think I'll let you handle her on your own." (Choldenko 54).Overall the book...more Al Capone Does my Shirts & Shines my Shoes is a great novel to read. Not my very favorite, but very god still. It's a little to easy to understand without much puzzles. Well, that isn't including Piper. With her prodigious ego, love for trouble, and the fact her dad is the Warden of Alcatraz it's easy to see why. Even Mr. Flanagan is puzzled by Piper and would much rather let Moose deal with her. "She's a wild one. Think I'll let you handle her on your own." (Choldenko 54).Overall the book has a great plot. IT is about a bot and his family trying to get his autistic sister help. But not without many complications on the side.
"Nothing is the way it's supposed to be when you live on an island with a billion birds, a ton of bird poop, a few dozen rifles, machine guns, and automatics and 278 of Americas worst criminals--- "the cream of the criminal crop" as one of our felons like to say." (Choldenko 1). That's one of the most memorable paragraphs. In fact when I was about to write this opinions paragraph I knew I would pick this paragraph because it is the most memorable. It really starts the second book with a jumpstart. My favorite character in this book is Theresa. It is hilarious how she thinks she' queen of Alcatraz and can control everyone. In fact, she'd probably make a good dictator.
Choldenko also has a far more than exceptional vocabulary. She is able to give me a mental picture of what's happening. It's like a movie.......... But in my head. Some of my favorite words/phrases are- "Orange flowers draped from a trellisd tiny pink and purple flowers the size of a lady's thumbnail spill over the planter." (Choldenko 66). "Then she holds the bag close to her, the way my gram holds her pocketbook when she thinks pickpockets are around." (Choldenko 97). "I roll my eyes. How can she be so blasé about this. It's almost as if she wants to get caught." (Choldenko 120).
Gennifer Choldenko definitely has her own unique style with this series. It's like the world is against Moose Flanagan and he must make all right. Just when Moose makes all right it has to topple down. On top of that, Natalie is just the opposite. Just when Moose thinks she can't get worse she does something really good. Like when he was the shortest kid in his grade and she just started calling him Moose. Now his dad is going to sell his meals as super growth formula and he's a little big for 7th grade. (less)

like · see review

Dec 29, 2011 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio, good-for-boys, historical-fiction, ya-fiction

Why I picked it up: I recently re-read Al Capone Does My Shirts, and this sequel was not out at the time I had originally read it.

This books picks up about 2 months after Al Capone Does My Shirts ends. Natalie is about to start at The Esther P. Marinoff School. Moose’s school is out for the summer. Moose gets a slip of paper in his shirt pocket—it’s from Al Capone, and he wants a favor in exchange for helping Moose at the end of the first book.

I enjoyed it. I really like Moose and I was glad to...more

like 1 like · see review

Mar 23, 2011 Rosalia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, tween, historical-fiction, humor, boy-reads, battle-of-the-books

Al Capone Shines My Shoes is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts, a 2005 Newbery Honor book. Moose is still living on Alcatraz with his family but now his sister Natalie is finally attending a school that will help her. Moose feels the family's group dynamic changing and life feels just a little bit freer now. Unfortunately Moose gets drawn back into trouble again by Piper, the warden's daughter and by the favor he called in from prisoner #85 Al Capone to get Natalie into school. Will Moose g...more

like · see review

Mar 22, 2011 Steven Kent rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: light-reading, young-adult-kids

A fun book with a light touch, Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a family story told by the son of an Alcatraz prison guard living in the family barracks on the island. Capone is not so much a central figure in the book as he is a looming presence, the heavy hand that is never far from many of the characters' thought.

As the book begins, the Flanagan family is preparing to send daughter Natalie to a special school for troubled children--"troubled" meaning the unnamed disease that will later be known a...more

like · see review

Nov 18, 2010 Abigail Beckwith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, historical-fiction

This is a great example of an interesting atypical work of historical fiction. Moose lives on Alcatraz Island. This provides a unique setting. I really liked the look at the convicts, the 30s slang, the authentic feel the book gave off (everyone is so into baseball!). Very quick, fun (slightly suspenseful) read. Capone did a favor for Moose, and Moose is just waiting to hear what he will have to do in return.. A little suspense, and some action ensue. The novel's themes include: people being mor...more

like · see review

Jul 05, 2010 Suebee rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read the original "Al Capone Does My Shirts" in graduate school in 2005, so it's been 5 years where I could have forgotten all about Moose Flanagan and his sister Natalie, living on Alcatraz Island in the 1930s. But no, I have never forgotten about Moose and this book reminded me why. I really appreciate Gennifer Choldenko's obvious care for detail and historical research, as evidenced in the extensive notes in the back of the book.

Moose is 12 and the son of a prison guard on Alcatraz Island....more I read the original "Al Capone Does My Shirts" in graduate school in 2005, so it's been 5 years where I could have forgotten all about Moose Flanagan and his sister Natalie, living on Alcatraz Island in the 1930s. But no, I have never forgotten about Moose and this book reminded me why. I really appreciate Gennifer Choldenko's obvious care for detail and historical research, as evidenced in the extensive notes in the back of the book.

Moose is 12 and the son of a prison guard on Alcatraz Island. In book one, "Al Capone Does My Shirts," Moose wants nothing but the best for his older sister Natalie, who exhibits traits like not making eye contact or melting down at loud noises.. traits that we now know constitute autism. At the end of the first book, Moose receives word that there is finally an open spot for Natalie at the Esther P Marinoff Boarding School (for children with special needs), and he also receives a note in his shirt pocket that said "Done." He believes that somehow, Al Capone must have been responsible (relating to an earlier prison-laundering scheme in the book).

Natalie leaves for the boarding school, and Moose has a few new problems - his best "girl friend" Annie and other friend Jimmy Mattaman notices he cares more about his "school friend" Scout, who just wants to play ball (and possibly score a look at Piper, a 'doll' and the daughter of the prison warden).

Moose's fear that Al Capone may want "payback" is realized - he receives a note in his pillow one day that says "The wife likes yellow roses." Moose has to figure out a way to give Mae Capone yellow roses and not get his father fired.

Too many plot details to list here...including Piper's mother being gravely sick while birthing Piper's baby brother, Moose meeting Al Capone after having to rush Baby Mattaman to the only doctor on the island (in the prison house), "Prisoner #109" coming to visit Natalie while he is on parole and sneaking a bar spreader into her suitcase, an attempted escape / kidnapping in which 3 prisoners hold a fake gun to Moose's head, and an underground passageway being used by the kids on the island to eavesdrop on the neighbors.

Gennifer paints a realistic picture of a 12 year old boy, too, not always perfect in his loyalties, telling a lie when he has to, but loyal to his family.(less)

like · see review

Oct 28, 2009 Sandra Stiles rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grades

This is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts. Moose still lives on Alcatraz island where his father is a guard. Thanks to Al Capone his autistic sister has found a place into the Esther P. Marinoff School. Moose is grateful until he receives a note in his shirt that says “your turn”. Another note tells him that Mae Capone is coming for a visit and she loves yellow roses. Now he has to find a way to give her yellow roses without getting his father fired. This was a great book. It was filled wit...more

like · see review

Oct 10, 2009 Relyn rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: tweens and their teachers

Recommended to Relyn by: I already loved the author

I was so excited to see that Moose and his pals were back for another Alcatraz adventure. Really, what an incredible setting for a story. I did enjoy this book, and definitely think it's worth a read. But, I didn't think it was quite as wonderful as Al Capone Does My Shirts. Maybe because the first book was so surprising. I think having an autistic character is powerful, both for the story and because it helps my students. I've had an autistic student in my class nearly every year of my teaching...more

like · see review

Sep 21, 2009 Eva Mitnick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, historical-fiction

12-year-old Moose Flanagan lives, as those who have read Al Capone Does My Shirts will know, on Alcatraz Island, where his dad works. Al Capone seems to have done him a huge favor by somehow getting his autistic big sister Natalie into a special school, and now it’s payback time – Moose finds a note in his freshly laundered shirt that says “Your turn.”

After agonizing about what kind of favor Capone might be expecting from Moose and how it would mean certain dismissal from his Alcatraz job for M...more
12-year-old Moose Flanagan lives, as those who have read Al Capone Does My Shirts will know, on Alcatraz Island, where his dad works. Al Capone seems to have done him a huge favor by somehow getting his autistic big sister Natalie into a special school, and now it’s payback time – Moose finds a note in his freshly laundered shirt that says “Your turn.”

After agonizing about what kind of favor Capone might be expecting from Moose and how it would mean certain dismissal from his Alcatraz job for Moose’s dad if anyone found out (and good jobs aren’t easy to come by in 1935), Moose does manage to fill Capone’s eventual small request without too much trouble. However, a “bar breaker,” a device that inmates use to gradually stretch apart prison bars, turns up in Natalie’s luggage, and this turns out to be just part of a well-orchestrated and dangerous escape plot that only the children of Alcatraz Island notice and foil.

It’s a fairly claustrophobic life living on a tiny island, most of which is off-limits, with only a few other kids near your own age. Choldenko delves quite effectively into the intricacies of trying to get along with everyone while still being true to your self – Moose, whose charm and main flaw both stem from his desire to please everyone all the time and never make anyone mad at him, eventually comes to the conclusion (helped along by his irritated friends) that sometimes people you like can and should hear the truth from you, especially if you want to get closer to them.

As far as the plot goes, the whole situation of convicts living practically cheek-by-jowl with families is fairly suspenseful, and when you mix in a smart and charismatic criminal like Capone, plus some seemingly trustworthy convicts who are allowed to work in the warden’s own house, the action heats up quickly. Add in Moose’s own personal problems with friends, an attractive but difficult girl, and his sister, and it all adds up to a worthy successor to the first book.

Highly recommended for fans of the first book, as well as any reader ages 9 to 13 who relishes a straight-forward suspenseful tale told by a completely likable character.

(less)

like 1 like · see review

Sep 14, 2009 Renee Bush rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is so rare to find a sequel to a winner that is, itself, another winner, but here it is.

Frankly, I expected to be disappointed, as sequels seem to be... well, blech. Not this one!

I am not sure how the author manages so well to make a protagonist of the gender opposite hers, sound so real, so believable; but she does. (I wonder if she has taught middle school, or been a den mother, or something like that.)

The setting of Alcatraz in the thirties is just as fascinating as it was on her first...more

like 3 likes · see review

Jul 05, 2009 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-school-books, historical

Moose Flanagan's sister Natalie has gone to her special school and life at home is more relaxed than it's been since they moved to Alcatraz. But Moose receives a new note that says "Your turn, " and he's not sure what to do. Annie thinks he should tell his father, but Moose makes her promise not to tell. For a while it seems that everyone is mad at Moose: Annie for the notes; Jimmy because Scout insults his inability to play baseball; Piper because Moose runs baby Rocky to Doc Ollie in the priso...more

like · see review

Feb 07, 2010 Josiah rated it 2 of 5 stars

I like the remark that Gennifer Choldenko makes in the Acknowledgements at the end of this book, when thanking her editor: "Editing me is sort of like trying to put a seat belt on the Energizer Bunny and Kathy always manages to make it look effortless." That line embodies well the smart humor found often in Al Capone Shines My Shoes, and I can see how a writer with such a sharp mind might be a handful for an editor.

As with its predecessor, this book is one of the most unique volumes that the ge...more I like the remark that Gennifer Choldenko makes in the Acknowledgements at the end of this book, when thanking her editor: "Editing me is sort of like trying to put a seat belt on the Energizer Bunny and Kathy always manages to make it look effortless." That line embodies well the smart humor found often in Al Capone Shines My Shoes, and I can see how a writer with such a sharp mind might be a handful for an editor.

As with its predecessor, this book is one of the most unique volumes that the genre of historical fiction has ever seen. Usually an historical fiction tome is set in a scene with many other active participants, making it easy for the independent actions of one person to blend in with the thread of history, but there really weren't all that many families living on Alcatraz Island in 1935. Gennifer Choldenko manages this scene with impeccable ability, using her well-crafted characters to tell a story that reaches all points in the spectrum of human emotion, while taking a look at ideas such as responsibility and the necessity of being aware of what's happening around oneself, and the troubles and rewards of living with a family member that has an issue like autism. In her Author's Note, Gennifer Choldenko says that she likes to think that she has kept alive in the pages of her books about Moose Flanagan on Alcatraz something of the spirit of her own autistic sister, and I agree that it seems that she has done this, and very well. Natalie Flanagan is a character who really seems to live and breathe and evoke a sense of who she is in the reader's mind.

Overall, I would say that Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a very good book. The writing is solid, never faltering, and the plot certainly kept me guessing the whole way through. I like the way that Moose's thoughts about life on Alcatraz and about the ways that the other kids who live there affect his own life rang so true to me while reading. Moose is kind of figuring out the mysteries of life and of dealing with others in a world where one doesn't have to be autistic to be majorly confused about relationships, and the lucky person reading the book gets to go along on that journey.

Al Capone Shines My Shoes is highly memorable, very funny, and filled with great characters. It also allows kids to absorb a lot of truly fascinating history while taking in an excellent story at the same time. I would give two and a half stars to this book. (less)

like 1 like · see review

Sep 28, 2009 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile-fiction, historical-fiction, medical-issues

Sequels make me very, very nervous. I was especially worried about this one since I enjoyed Al Capone Does My Shirts so much. While this was a very good effort, it wasn't quite perfect. It bothers me in the way that so many sequels do: It works fine if you take it on its own out of the context of the original, but somehow the transition to the sequel isn't quite seamless.

Really, the story was great. Moose and his family are back, living on Alcatraz in 1935. Everything picks up right where Al Cap...more Sequels make me very, very nervous. I was especially worried about this one since I enjoyed Al Capone Does My Shirts so much. While this was a very good effort, it wasn't quite perfect. It bothers me in the way that so many sequels do: It works fine if you take it on its own out of the context of the original, but somehow the transition to the sequel isn't quite seamless.

Really, the story was great. Moose and his family are back, living on Alcatraz in 1935. Everything picks up right where Al Capone Does My Shirts left off: Natalie is leaving to attend the special school that everyone hopes will cure her autism, which you may recall she was only able to attend with the help of gangster Al Capone. Everything seems great, until Moose realizes that if Capone can extend his influence beyond the Island, he'll probably want something from Moose in return. And then Moose gets another note in his laundry. Should he tell his parents? Meanwhile, Moose is having a world of normal kid trouble with his Alcatraz friends, who are much more developed than I remember them being in the first book, and with one of the guards who thinks that Natalie is a danger to everyone on the Island.

Excellent premise. I'd even say that the execution was very worthy. But you know how sometimes when you see a movie sequel something is different? Something about the lighting, the digital effects, the addition of new sidekick characters and interesting places, and even the fact that the acting was done a year or two later just makes everything feel slightly different. That's the feel I get from this book.

Maybe this won't bother most readers. I'm sure kids who enjoyed the first one will also eat up this sequel. I'm probably just overly critical in that respect. When it comes down to it, the book did its job: It extended the story in a believable, engaging way. Besides, we finally get to meet Al Capone fact to face. Can't complain about that!

My only true qualm about this book: Piper. She was so cool in the first book, and now she's reduced to the whiny love interest who's a suffragist waiting to happen. Where she was once devious and interesting, she's now just a little desperate and pathetic.(less)

like · see review

Jul 10, 2009 Roxanne Hsu Feldman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bestbooks, 4-6grade, historicalfiction, mystery

I am completely delighted by this book. I really enjoyed the first one and this one holds up, well and strong, and I think it works even better. Maybe because I thought, "What can she come up with that can top the first book?" before starting to read this one.. and Choldenko absolutely pulled it off. There is humor and tension all throughout the book, not to mention some hard-to-sort-out moral dilemmas. Over the years, my students have loved the first book -- from really strong readers to really...more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 24, 2010 Sri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, young-adult

Moose adalah remaja yang menjadi idola semua orang, kecuali Darby Trixle (Darby Trixle tidak menyukai semua orang). Moose selalu berusaha bersikap manis pada semua orang. Tapi yang namanya hidup bersama, walaupun sudah berusaha sedemikian rupa tetap saja tak akan membuat semua orang puas. Di umurnya yang masih muda, Moose harus memastikan kakaknya bahagia, ibunya tenang dan ayahnya tidak dipecat dari pekerjaan. Itu tidaklah gampang karena Natalie, kakaknya, mengidap autisme. Buku ini bersetting...more

like · see review

Nov 29, 2009 Conor rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10th-grade-advisory

Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Hardcover)
Gennifer Choldenko
274 pages
Dial Books for Young Readers
New York, NY 10014
Copyright April 2009

Al Capone Shines My Shoes takes place on Alcatraz a prisoner island off San Francisco in the late 1930s. Al Capone, a real life gangster mobster of the 30s, is one of the many prisoners. Seven children live on the island and spend thier time playing baseball. There's not much to do on the island, and all the childrens parents are prison guards or laundry people....more Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Hardcover)
Gennifer Choldenko
274 pages
Dial Books for Young Readers
New York, NY 10014
Copyright April 2009

Al Capone Shines My Shoes takes place on Alcatraz a prisoner island off San Francisco in the late 1930s. Al Capone, a real life gangster mobster of the 30s, is one of the many prisoners. Seven children live on the island and spend thier time playing baseball. There's not much to do on the island, and all the childrens parents are prison guards or laundry people. Al Capone, though a criminal, helped the main character Matthew (Moose) Flannigan out a lot.

Matthew has a sister with Autism who isn't diagnosed. Natalie, or Nat as she is called has a button collection. With the help of Al Capone in the first book Al Capone Does My Laundry through the exchanging of notes in laundry Natalie got into the Ester P. Marinoff school. This school was an excuse to try to get Natalie "normal". At the time Autism was not a diganosed disease and Natalie was classified as a disturbance to the island.

The Warden is in charge of the island. There aren't many children, the oldest is about our age. There's Annie, the killer ball player, Moose Flannigan, Natalie who attends that special school, Theresa, Trixle, Scout the crummy ball player, and Piper with the sick pregnant mother.

They live in a black and white world similar to the Giver . Differences aren't appreciated and the warden watches out for convicts. Though a prisoner Al Capone is really the good guy. The other prisoners try to escape the island through dental floss and hold the other children at gunpoint as hostages and steal babies.

Of course, like most distopias (or utopias) there are a lot of dumb rules. Exchanging notes in the laundry posed a severe threat to the prisoner guards and Moose Flannigan's family. All Al Capone really wanted was to give Mae Capone (his wife a flower). Moose Flannigan would later on get shunned by all his friends for talking to the most misunderstood mobster in Alcrataz.

Overall this was a pretty decent book. It was a quick read and easy to understand for the most part. It was historically a little bit accurate and I admire the author for her dedication in researching Alcatraz. Although the characters are predominately fictional, Al Capone is a real person and Alcratz is a real place. I also admire the character Natalie (as I have an Autistic sibling) for her dependancy and journey up the heroic cycle. Her interest in buttons and temper tantrums ended up paying off towards the end of the story.

The first book won the Caldecott Honor Medal. I like the way the book ended on a positive note and I'd reccomend it to most teenagers.
(less)

like · see review

SKBeale Al Capone Shines My Shoes
Summary: Moose and the gang thought it was all over, Al Capone helped his sister. But, What if it’s not?
Passage: that night w...more
May 04, 2010 03:26pm

Damian Who is the women they use to help Al Capone. Also, I had to hit (more) to read this thing and at the end it said " When the book gets interesting" (le...more
May 05, 2010 06:17pm

SKBeale there was no women that helped Al. But the women he asked Moose to get flowers for was his wife. is that the answer 2 ur question?
when the book gets i...more
May 07, 2010 06:17pm

Mar 23, 2009 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-mt-bookpile

Cute. Moose is only interested in baseball, keeping his sister Natalie from having a fit, and his crush on Piper, the Warden's daughter. Living on Alcatraz has it's pluses, definitely. Owing Al Capone a favor isn't one of them.

Because Moose is one of those polite, trying to please people kids, he ends up in more trouble than he should, but in the end it seems that Scarface kinda likes him. Or maybe he likes Natalie.

Nice sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts.

like 1 like · see review

Dec 31, 2012 Jacob Palans rated it 4 of 5 stars

Al Capone shines my shoes is the sequel to al Capone does my shirts which is one of my favorite book. This book was complete breath of fresh air because it was a new good read but still had the adventures of the old book. Al Capone Shines my shoes follows the character Moose Flanagan a teenager who lives on Alcatraz island due to his dads work. In this book Moose faces a huge problem, he revives a note from the infamous Al Capone saying "your turn" this note indicates that he needs to do a favor...more

like · see review

Aug 18, 2011 Lena Hillbrand rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young readers

Shelves: audiobooks

The sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts is even more exciting. The kids on 'the rock,' as they call Alcatraz Island, are up to more shenanigans, hiding more secrets than ever from their parents, playing baseball, spying on convicts, and of course, obsessing about Al Capone. There was more action in this book than the first one, more love story. I despise Piper, the love interest, so that takes the book down a notch for me. She's infuriating and everyone always forgives her and gives her everythin...more

like · see review

Aug 16, 2010 Kasha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed listening to this audio book while I knitted or did dishes in the morning. I enjoyed the reader's interpretation too. He varied the voices just enough that I was able to follow along really well. Sometimes when I listen to books I forget to pay attention, so I only really have success when the reader is a little above average. There was a hint of a love story between two of the alcatraz inhabitants that was definitely entertaining, and I was really surprised by some of the hidden meani...more

like · see review

Dec 04, 2009 Gwen the Librarian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kidlit, historical-fiction

I was hesitant to pick up this second volume about Moose and the kids on Alcatraz, but after hearing only good things from colleagues, I read it this week and really enjoyed it. Readers would benefit from reading the first volume, Al Capone Does My Shirts, first.

The book picks up pretty much right where the last left off. Natalie has been accepted into the special school for autistic kids and Moose thinks that Al Capone pulled the strings to get her in. When Moose receives a note in his laundry...more

like · see review

May 09, 2013 123Emajah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is a sequel to Al Capone does my Shirts, and its just as great! After the main character Moose sent a letter to Alcatraz convict, Al Capone asking him to help hi, get his sister into an autistic school called the Esther P. Marinoff School. The very next day, she got in, and Moose received a shift that he suspected was from Capone that said your turn on it. Now there was a mystery. What did that mean and was the shirt really from Capone. Moose didnt know, but he was determined to find o...more

like · see review

Oct 23, 2012 Marcos D rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 40-book-challenge, historical-fiction

Latterly I’ve finished reading a book call Al Capone Shines My Shoes that was written by Gennifer Choldenko. This author wrote the prequel to this book that is called Al Capone Does My Shirts. I’d highly recommend this book to tweens.

The protagonist of this book was Mathew Flanagan. He was also commonly known as “Moose.” Moose, his parents and Natalie lived in Alcatraz during the 1920s. Moose’s parents want to get Natalie in a special school (she has special problems), but every time they say...more Latterly I’ve finished reading a book call Al Capone Shines My Shoes that was written by Gennifer Choldenko. This author wrote the prequel to this book that is called Al Capone Does My Shirts. I’d highly recommend this book to tweens.

The protagonist of this book was Mathew Flanagan. He was also commonly known as “Moose.” Moose, his parents and Natalie lived in Alcatraz during the 1920s. Moose’s parents want to get Natalie in a special school (she has special problems), but every time they say she’s unqualified. So they say she’s 10 years old, but in real life she’s way older. At the end, something might happen to help them get Natalie into the special school…

The main objective of the book was to get Natalie to the special school. That objective was for Moose’s parents only. Moose’s objectives were to get used living in a new area because they recently moved to Alcatraz Island. Also, Moose wants to make friends and just fit in. I think the author was trying to say that anything can happen if you make it happen because Moose does accomplish his objectives and even more. Also something else proves the reason, but I won’t say because I don’t want to be a spoiler.

I thought this book was good because it really made me feel like I was at Alcatraz by explaining what kids and adults do there. For example, kids go to different schools around the area. After that they do HW or other school stuff. Then, they could roam around and hang out with friends. Adults could either work out of the area, as a teacher at one of the schools, or work at the Alcatraz prison where Al Capone and all the other captives are. Overall, I liked the book. Although, it made me what that Moose didn’t get his special someone.

I highly recommend this book to Tweens mostly because Moose, the protagonist is 12 years old. Also, this book is aimed towards tweens because all the characters are tweens, and also they behave like kids today. They get in trouble, go out with friends, have crushes, etc. In my opinion but I think the author would’ve made this book for tweens because of the reasons I’ve stated earlier.
(less)

like · see review

Jul 06, 2009 Tasha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Return to the world of Moose and his family and friends living on Alcatraz. Moose’s sister Natalie is heading out to her special school that she got into after Moose asked Al Capone to help. Now Moose finds a note in the pocket of his shirt after it has returned from the laundry. The note says, “Your turn.” Now Moose must decide whether to tell his parents what he did or to do exactly what Capone asks of him. And where would the fun be in telling your parents?

Choldenko’s Al Capone Does My Shirt...more

like · see review

Sep 25, 2010 Kat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed-from-library, childrens, historical-fiction, young-adult, read-in-2010

I really enjoyed Al Capone Does My Shirts, and I was anxious to read the sequel. Just like its predecessor, Al Capone Shines My Shoes moves at a fast pace and is a great piece of storytelling. The plot takes place in 1935 still, during summer vacation on Alcatraz. Moose's older sister Natalie is away at school, and he and his friends Piper, Jimmy, Annie and Theresa occupy their time with baseball, hanging out at the canteen and trying to think of ways to sneak a peek at Al Capone.

Moose Flanagan...more I really enjoyed Al Capone Does My Shirts, and I was anxious to read the sequel. Just like its predecessor, Al Capone Shines My Shoes moves at a fast pace and is a great piece of storytelling. The plot takes place in 1935 still, during summer vacation on Alcatraz. Moose's older sister Natalie is away at school, and he and his friends Piper, Jimmy, Annie and Theresa occupy their time with baseball, hanging out at the canteen and trying to think of ways to sneak a peek at Al Capone.

Moose Flanagan is a good kid who always tries to do the right thing. He doesn't like to disappoint his friends or hurt anyone's feelings. He's just an overal likable kid. It's no wonder several girls are "sweet on him" (I love that language they used back then). As much as Moose loves his sister Nat, he can't help but feel somewhat relieved and grateful that she's away at a special school. It means he has his parents all to himself. He'd felt almost neglected in the past because his mother focused so much of her energy and attention on Natalie, that it feels good to have her all to himself.

The narration of these books is spot on. You can tell Moose is a pretty smart kid. He's very observant of the people around him, and he's got a keen sense of how they're feeling. He narrates events with a touch of pre-teen humor, as his storytelling is sometimes interspersed with his thoughts of how pretty Piper is, how plain Annie is, how annoying 7-year-old Theresa can be, and what a horrible throwing arm Jimmy has.

This book has a lot more action and drama than the previous one. There are prison guards being falsely accused of misbehavior, babies in danger of dying, first kisses, cryptic notes left by prisoners, and even a few brushes with big Al himself. I'm not sure if young children should read this book. Perhaps it's more young adult than children's fiction. There were moments when even I was a bit creeped out. But then again, anything having to do with the criminals living on the maximum-security prison island is creepy.

Gennifer Choldenko managed to create a sequel that's just as intriguing as the first novel in the series. I came to really care about the characters in the Al Capone Does My Shirts, and they almost felt like family the second time around. I was close to tears on some parts, and other times I was laughing out loud. The book has a nice blend of humor and drama, mixed with crime fighting and tween angst.

I'm excited that Choldenko is at work on the third book in this series. I'll definitely be reading that as soon as it's released.

(less)

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (11)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

122 users

Young Adult

58 users

Childrens

27 users

Childrens > Middle Grade

24 users

Childrens > Juvenile

22 users

Realistic Fiction

16 users

Adventure

13 users

Humor

9 users

Family

7 users

Childrens > Chapter Books

6 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Gennifer Choldenko

How did a girl named Snot-Nose end up publishing children’s books?

Here are the facts as I know them . . .

I am the youngest of four kids, all of whom have big mouths. We were so loud, that once a lady asked my brother if our mother was deaf.

She was not.

The only sibling who did not have the trademark Johnson big mouth was my sister, Gina, who had Autism. My parents worked very hard to try to fig...more

More about Gennifer Choldenko...

Books by Gennifer Choldenko

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Al Capone Shines ...

2 trivia questions
3 quizzes

More quizzes & trivia...

title link	preview: Al Capone Shines My Shoes
avg rating	preview: Al Capone Shines My Shoes Goodreads rating: 3.96 (2754 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6137155-al-capone-shines-my-shoes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348221000l/6137155.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6137155-al-capone-shines-my-shoes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko[/url]

Al Capone Shines My Shoes (Al Capone at Alcatraz #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website