There are references to the convicts' crimes -- beating people to death with bats, kidnapping, etc. The kids make up stories about violent incidents, including someone getting "sliced up" with a shiv. Moose fears a convict may have molested his sister, or worse.
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Nothing explicit, but a high level of innuendo: Women must dress modestly and undergarments aren't allowed in the prison laundry because the convicts have had so little access to women; Moose is embarrassed to see his sister naked; Al Capone's mother is so mortified at being strip-searched she leaves without visiting her son.
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Readers come away with an idea of what life might have been like in this time and place. They may want to explore the author’s notes and website to learn more about autism, Alcatraz, and American gangsters.
Positive Messages
a little
Moose ultimately stands up for himself, his sister, and his family, making his mother realize that the ends don't justify the means (though his means are at times a bit complicated).
Positive Role Models
a little
Moose doesn't always make good choices -- he goes along with Piper, who deliberately breaks rules with no thought of the consequences -- but he means well, and ultimately is able to do the right thing.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Newbery Honor Book Al Capone Does My Shirts is set on Alcatraz Island when it was an operating prison. The kids who live there -- and their classmates -- are enchanted with the prisoners and their dramatic backgrounds. There are references to imagined violence, but the bad guys are mostly part of the dramatic backdrop. The story contains some sexual overtones: There are rules on the island designed to protect women living there from the convicts, and close contact between a young girl and a prisoner raises fears that she has been sexually attacked in some way.
There are many reviews that say this book is appropriate for young children. Be aware that this book will introduces the term "rapist" within the first few pages. Within the first few chapters, readers will need to know why a warden tells a 12 year old boy that females need to be accompanied by guards at all times and are not to wear shorts because convicts are present who haven’t seen a woman in 10-15 years. The warden then says to the 12 year-old boy, “you are old enough to understand what that means, Mr. Flanagan.” Be prepared for your child to ask what that means if they have not been exposed to this type of dialogue or subject matter. Later in the book, there are several pages devoted to the brother being extremely worried that his autistic sister may have been taken advantage of by an inmate. This is a central to the progress of the story. The word, “sex” is not used, but it is implied. This implication is further supported later in the story when another girl teases the brother that the autistic sister may have gotten pregnant by the inmate. Be aware that the book has sexual themes that are non-consensual, potentially violent, and possibly pedofeliac in nature. It is too bad that the author found it necessary to move the story along in this manner - otherwise the book could have been of great educational value. As it is - protect your young child from exposure, or at least be forewarned.
We found this book interesting because it brings to light the challenges that are met in a family who is living with a loved who has autism. It also shows that despite the complications and drama in family life, that love conquers all and that you would do anything to help your family. Definitely a good discussion point to bring at a table and talk about people with special needs. Might want to wait to introduce this to older children as it has some sexual overtones. We are not quite sure what happened to Natalie when she was alone with the convict.
What's the Story?
Seventh-grader Moose Flanagan has just moved to Alcatraz, where his father is working two jobs to try to enroll Moose's autistic older sister, Natalie, in a special school. Moose desperately wants his family to be "normal," but that's difficult when your older sister acts like a needy preschooler and you live on an island populated with the worst of the worst. His parents are focused on work and Natalie's needs, forcing Moose to fend for himself and his sister. He chafes at his responsibilities and gets caught up in the schemes of the warden's troublemaking daughter, Piper. When he accidentally puts Natalie at risk, however, he finds the courage to help his family come closer together -- and ask Al Capone to help Natalie. Includes labeled photo of Alcatraz Island and an Author's Note with footnotes.
AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS shines when it grapples with Moose's family on Alcatraz. His parents want to do the right thing but repeatedly fail their son. It's easy to empathize with Moose, who both loves and resents his sister and fears upsetting his desperate mother. The historical setting is enticing and a good symbol for Moose’s own feelings of entrapment.
Readers may wish that the author spent more ink digging into Natalie's relationship with a convict, or exploring the book's mature themes, such as the good and bad in people, or why gangsters are sometimes seen as heroes. But they'll cheer when Moose finally stands up for himself, his sister, and his family, making his mother realize that the ends don't justify the means. Complex moral issues and some sexual overtones push this book toward an older tween audience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about public fascination with bad guys. Al Capone was a notorious gangster, believed to have been behind brutal killings. Why is he such an alluring character to the kids on the island and their classmates? Can you think of any modern day "bad guys" who are equally appealing?
Why do you think Al Capone Does My Shirts won a Newbery Honor? What's special about this book?
How do you think attitudes toward autism and other mental disabilities have changed -- or not changed -- since the time this story takes place?
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Al Capone Does My Shirts: A Tale from Alcatraz, Book 1
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