Al+Capone+Shines+My+Shoes

Choldenko, G. (2009). //Al Capone shines my shoes.// New York, NY: Puffin Books.


 * Summary:** The sequel to the 2005 Newbery Honor //Al Capone Does My Shirts// brings readers back to Alcatraz Island and the Flanagan family. After Al Capone helped Moose's sister get into a school in San Francisco, in //Al Capone Does My Shirts//**,** he is now asking for Moose to help him with an escape plan.


 * Grade Level:** 6-9
 * Reading Level:** 3.8

4.1.1 Read, view, and listen for pleasure and personal growth 4.1.2 Read widely and fluently to make connections with self, the world, and previous reading 4.1.7 Use social networks and information tools to gather and share information 4.1.8 Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning 4.4.1. Identify own areas of interest 4.4.6 Evaluate own ability to select resources that are engaging and appropriate for personal interests and needs
 * Standards for 21st Century Learners:**
 * 4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth**

In the Newbery Honor-winning Al Capone Does My Shirts (2004), 12-year-old Moose Flanagan, who lives on Alcatraz in 1935, appeals to inmate 85 to get his autistic sister, Natalie, into a special school. In this follow-up, it's payback time. Scarface, whom Moose finally meets, is much more present here, and it turns out that Natalie's benefactor (the famous gangster) wasn't just being a nice guy when he offered his help. He expected favors in return, and now, Natalie is an unsuspecting, potential accomplice in a dramatic prisoner escape attempt. One of Choldenko's many strengths is her grasp of the historically accurate language and setting, and she discusses where she exercised her artistic license in an author's note. As life on the Rock goes on, Moose gradually realizes that family and friends are more important than baseball and that grudges rarely come to a good end. An enjoyable, stand-alone sequel.--Medlar, Andrew
 * Booklist Review 2009: (from Mackin)**