Al Capone Shines My Shoes |  | Author: Gennifer Choldenko
Publisher: Dial
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $6.99
as of 3/21/2010 03:27 CDT details
You Save: $11.00 (61%)
New (32) Used (14) Collectible (2) from $5.19
Seller: bookcloseouts_us
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 16750
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First Printing
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0803734603
EAN: 9780803734609
ASIN: 0803734603
Publication Date: September 8, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9780803734609 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Moose and the cons are about to get a lot closer in this much-anticipated sequel. Its 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 weeks ago Moose wrote a letter to him asking him to use his influence to get his sister, Natalie, into a school she desperately needs in San Francisco. After Natalie got accepted, a note appeared in Mooses freshly laundered shirt that said: Done. As this book begins, Moose discovers a new note. This one says: Your turn. Is it really from Capone? What does it mean? Moose cant risk anything that might get his dad fired. But how can he ignore Al Capone?
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 Guilty....of being good February 8, 2010
Quixote010 (columbus, ohio)
Gennifer Choldenko has now written two interesting teen books that neatly combine coming-of-age in the 30s with history of San Francisco and that notorious prison, Alcatraz.
Moose Flannigan's father has uprooted the family to take a job as an electrician and a prison guard, and the events and conditions affecting any youngster trying to adapt to a new living environment, especially one housing the nation's best-known criminals, leads to an entertaining and interesting book. Because of security and other concerns, guards actually lived on the island with their families, and certain conditions needed to be met for those visiting and leaving the prison site.
Obviously the book has been written with teens in mind since it introduces elements of puppy love, fear, adventure, and decision-making. But adults will find this (and the initial "Al Capone Does My shirts") enjoyable.
Both stories tell interesting facts about the island, conditions there, prison and guard duties, family living conditions, etc.; and the author includes notes at the end of each book explain what situations and incidences are gleamed from actual historical facts. Both are written from a teen boy's perspective, and include numerous humorous comments and observations that keep the story going.
Anyone interested in the Depression-era or curious about the people and conditions on the island of Acatraz will find these books enjoyable.
Al Capone books January 24, 2010
Nancy (California)
My 6th grade granddaughter read the first of the Al Capone books, Al Capone Does My Shirts in school and loved it. So, we bought this one, Al Capone Shines My Shoes, and she is reading it now - also really enjoying it! I think these are great for middle school girls and boys.
Best sequel ever! December 19, 2009
P. Drape (Waverly, IA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am so glad I bought this book. I have already given several copies of the first book to teacher friends to use as outloud reading to their junior high classes. I am now retired after 43 years of teaching, but one thing that never changes is kids loving a book read to them. These books not only give them insight into the 1930's, but a glipse at the predjudice and insensitivity of dealing with special needs children.
This book also has a wonderful way of showing forgiveness within a "family". The message that everyone makes mistakes, but forgiveness is the glue that keeps you together. What a great story.
Courtesy of Mother Daughter Book Club.com December 15, 2009
Cynthia Hudson (Portland, OR)
It's 1935 on Alcatraz Island. Al Capone is The Rock's most famous prisoner among a number of notorious criminals. He's also a constant fascination for the families of the guards, who live in houses on the island next door to the cellblock.
Moose Flanagan is the son of one of those guards. He's adjusting to life without his autistic sister Natalie, who has just been accepted into the Esther P. Marinoff School, a place her parents believe will help her learn how to function better in society. Moose is sure Al Capone pulled strings to get Natalie in after Moose wrote a letter asking for his help. When Moose gets a note in his laundry, he knows Capone is asking for a favor back. But how can he fulfill the request without getting his dad fired and the whole family exiled off the island?
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko is a charming follow-up to her Newbery Honor winner, Al Capone Does My Shirts. You'll fall right back into Moose's story and life on Alcatraz, with its strict regulations for prisoners, guards and civilians alike. This time Moose is trying to navigate his conflicted feelings for Piper, the warden's daughter, and keep all his friends happy. He also has to determine where to draw the line with the cons who perform maintenance jobs in the homes: can he trust these men who for the most part seem like regular people, or should he keep their past crimes in mind when he interacts with them? I highly recommend this book for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 12.
Tells of Moose's family, moved to Alcatraz so his father could work as a guard November 22, 2009
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Gennifer Choldenko's AL CAPONE SHINES MY SHOES tells of Moose's family, moved to Alcatraz so his father could work as a guard and his sister could attend a special school in San Francisco. His life on an island with only convicts provides challenges to Moose, who is keeping a secret that could get his family kicked off the island.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
|
|
|
|
