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    Al Capone Shines My Shoes
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    Al Capone Shines My Shoes
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    Al Capone Shines My Shoes
    Audiobook7 hours

    Al Capone Shines My Shoes

    Written by Gennifer Choldenko

    Narrated by Kirby Heyborne

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    When I first moved here, I thought all the bad guys were on one side of the bars and all the good guys were on the other. But lately, I've begun to wonder . . .
    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. Living on an island with a few hundred no-name hit men, con men, and mad dog murderers (and a handful of bank robbers, too) has its challenges. Like Officer Darby-who seems to have it in for Moose; Jimmy-who feels jealous of Moose's baseball friend Scout; Annie-who demands that Moose fess up to a secret that could get his family kicked off Alcatraz; and Piper, the warden's cute, danger-loving daughter-who is as mad at Moose as often as she is sweet on him. By comparison, Willy One Arm and Buddy Boy, the cons who work at the warden's house, and Seven Fingers, the ax murderer who helps his family out when their toilet is stopped up, don't seem all that bad. But the line between good and bad is much clearer than Moose realizes. And if he doesn't figure it out soon, he could be in a world of trouble.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 8, 2009
    ISBN9780739380055
    Unavailable
    Al Capone Shines My Shoes
    Author

    Gennifer Choldenko

    GENNIFER CHOLDENKO is the author of Newbery Honor book Al Capone Does My Shirts, which was on the New York Times Bestseller list for six months, an ALA BBYA, an ALA Notable book, and received the Sid Fleischman Humor, in addition to other kudos. She graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. She previously worked at an advertising agency, and has written picture books as well. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and two children. www.choldenko.com

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    Reviews for Al Capone Shines My Shoes

    4/5

    174 ratings32 reviews

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    • 4/5
      The follow-up to Al Capone Does My Shirts, twelve year old Moose and his family are still residents of Alcatraz, where his father is a guard. At the end of the last book, Moose had sent a secret note to the island's most famous convict, Al Capone, asking if he could get Moose's sister accepted into a school for children with special needs. Now we see that Natalie has been accepted and leaves for San Francisco, giving Moose and his parents some time for themselves. Soon after, a note from Capone comes to Moose, instructing the kid about how to pay the mob boss back. Moose has more problems too, as his best friend often won't talk to him, and the bratty warden's daughter wants romance but everyone warns Moose that it's a bad idea.
    • 2/5
      I didn't enjoy this book as much as Al Capone Does My Shirts. It seemed very scattered to me. There was a lot going on, and it was hard to keep the different plot lines separate. I also had trouble keeping the characters apart, even though they had all been in the first book. It seemed like a few things were brought in but not really explained fully in order to keep the action moving, so overall the book was kind of hard to follow. It ends in a manner similar to the first, meaning, of course, there will be a follow-up, but I'm not as excited about it as I was when I finished the first.
    • 3/5
      This is a fun read. I especially appreciated the historiocity, although that bored my nephew.
    • 4/5
      The guards families live on Alcatraz. The prisoners are in the cellhouse, and the pretty much have the run of the island. But some prisoners work as "passmen" helping out with jobs in the guards houses. Relationships are difficult - in families, between friends and between guards, civilians and prisoners. Then the kids find themselves caught up in an escape attempt.
    • 5/5
      A sequel that is every bit as good as the first.About six months have passed since "Al Capone Does My Shirts" ended. Moose is living with his parents on Alcatraz, friends to one degree or another with the handful of other children of guards who live on the island, but his sister (who would today be identified as highly autistic) has been at the special school that Moose got some unexpected help getting her into.Moose finds a note in his pillowcase telling him what Al Capone wants from him as a return favor for arranging to get Natalie in the school. When his wife, Mae Capone, comes to visit him, Moose is to make sure she gets yellow roses. Moose gets Annie and Jimmy to help him in trying to get the roses. But when Natalie comes home for a few weeks break from her special school, new problems begin to arise, and Moose never knows when he should tell someone or when he should keep quiet about things.Like the first book, it had a perfect last page.
    • 4/5
      Follow up novel to "Al Capone Does My Laundry." Both are very good stories about being children in the depression whose father is a guard at Alcatraz. Based on the true fact that families lived there while the prison was in operation. The author comes up with a great tale.
    • 4/5
      Narrated by Kirby Heyborne. Like "Al Capone Does My Shirts," this sequel is so much more than hijinx in an intriguing setting. Trust, friendships, responsibility, family, and growing up are themes weaved solidly into an entertaining story and that add emotional heft. Moose and his friends come off as real, regular kids. The romantic tension between Moose and Piper wasn't necessary, I thought, but still, the book is a great follow-up to the first.
    • 4/5
      I loved how the author used real life famous characters and events and tired them into a cute childrens book. In the authors note she talks about how she came up with the ideas for the book and they mostly came from people that lived on alcatraz so it was all true in a sense. This book also has everything that little boys love, action, baseball, and girls. I also like that they feature an autistic sister and shows how children deal with living with a sibling with the disorder.
    • 4/5
      This is a fun middle-grade book. It's been a few years since I read the first in the series but I was able to keep track of the distinct cast of kids without too much issue. It's brilliant to write a series about kids growing up on Alcatraz, a place where Al Capone is behind bars but not without power, and the guards themselves can be the worst of the bad guys.One of the reasons I started these books is because they feature an autistic character, Natalie, who is Moose's older sister. I really like how Choldenko handles Natalie's character and how othesr respond to her... and those responses can be pretty ugly. It's honest, though. It shows how people treat those who "are not normal," and that such mistreatment still goes on today. It's a kids' book with a lot of depth.
    • 4/5
      In this young adult novel, by Gennifer Cholldenko, Moose is anxious that notorious gangster, Al Capone, who is locked up in Alcatraz will ask him for payback now that Moose's sister has been mysteriously been accepted into a special school. "Al Capone Shines my shoes" is the sequel to "Al Capone Does my Shirts" and continues to follow that antics and adventures of the kids living on Alcatraz in the 1930s.
    • 3/5
      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 go too far in effort to keep everyone happy?

      This sequel was a lot of fun, as it was full of action and all the characters I loved from the previous book. Piper is just as much of a pain as ever using what little power she has to get everyone in trouble so she can get her way. This book we get a little more insight into Piper, we find out what makes her tick and why she feels like she needs to have so much power.

      We also find out more about what makes Moose tick. Moose spends a lot of the book analyzing the kind of person he is and the what makes his friends tick. He thinks that there is a lot more gray area where the cons are concerned then there actually is. I was on the edge of my seat watching him and his friends deal with the outcomes caused by those feelings.

      I did have to laugh a little bit at the appearance of a love triangle in this book. It seems like authors just can't help themselves anymore. I don't want to give any details because I don't want to spoil it for anyone but I definitely know what couple I want to end up together if Moose's adventures on Alcatraz continue.

    • 4/5
      The guards families live on Alcatraz. The prisoners are in the cellhouse, and the pretty much have the run of the island. But some prisoners work as "passmen" helping out with jobs in the guards houses. Relationships are difficult - in families, between friends and between guards, civilians and prisoners. Then the kids find themselves caught up in an escape attempt.
    • 4/5
      In this, the second book in the series, the story of life on Alcatraz continues. Moose faces the consequences of the decisions he made in the first book, and struggles to keep everyone around him happy. There's a lot of drama as friendships, family problems, and budding preteen romance threaten to disrupt Moose's peaceful life -- but an even bigger disruption is brewing in the cellhouse, and the consequences could be far worse than hurt feelings.Like its predecessor, this book is a great read. The focus of this book is broader -- where the first book focused on family dynamics, Al Capone Shines My Shoes deals more with the different personalities of the kids living on Alcatraz. Choldenko does an excellent job of character development, though there are a few plot points that stretch credulity. Choldenko also does an excellent job of portraying a character with autism, in the days before that diagnosis even existed.
    • 3/5
      Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts. In the first book, Moose got a favor from Al Capone and now he's received a message: "Your turn."While Natalie is living in her special school in San Francisco, Moose and his family continue to live and work on Alcatraz Island. Now that Moose is no longer the new guy, he has to find his place among the other children.In the first book the plot was focused Moose and his relationship with his older sister, Natalie. Alcatraz, except for Al Capone intervening at the end, was secondary to the plot. With her (for the most part) out of the picture, strife amongst the children and personal dramas in each of the families is introduced instead. Instead of being able to build one, credible and compelling story about another of the Alcatraz families, the book is flooded with numerous competing dramas. It's too much to take in.To further complicate things, Choldenko tosses in an escape attempt that both puts the children in danger and gives them a chance to save the day while the parents are too distracted to notice. While there were some thrilling scenes in this climax, the Scooby Doo wrap up had me shaking my head in disbelief.
    • 4/5
      An absolutely brilliant story combining several interesting topics: Al Capone, Alcatraz, and autism. The story was very well written and the characters are realistic, enjoyable and memorable.
    • 5/5
      In this sequel to the Newbery Honor book Al Capone Shines my Shoes, Moose Flanagan continues his adventures on Alcatraz Island--this time he must face consequences for choices he made in the previous book. VERY cute and funny and every bit as enjoyable as the first book.
    • 3/5
      A children's novel about a family who lives on Alcatraz at the time when gangster Al Capone was a prisoner there. A sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts, Capone wants a favor in return for the help that he secretly gave Moose in that book. I would recommend this book for children 8 to 12 years old or for families to enjoy together. 3 out of 5 stars.
    • 4/5
      “Al Capone Shines My Shoes” by Gennifer Choldenko is an interesting book about a 12 year old boy named Moose Flanagan and his family and cohorts. Common enough theme, yes? The setting is what makes it interesting. It is set in the 1930s on Alcatraz Island. I was surprised to learn that families of the guards often lived on the island. The children on the island commuted to school on the mainland by ferry.You would think that growing up on an island that holds the world’s most dangerous criminals would be the last place anyone would want to live, but Ms. Choldenko shows us that is actually wasn’t bad. The families there were a close-knit community and looked out for each other.In the story, Moose sends a note to Al Capone to see if he can help his sister get into a special school for the disabled. When she does get in, Al Capone then lets Moose know that he will be asking for a favor in return. You don’t turn down a request by Al Capone. And so begins the escapades on the island. Moose has to deal with the uncertainty of what Al Capone is going to ask, while trying to please his friends and family. Moose is a nice kid who doesn’t like to say “no” which leads to misunderstandings and grudges.Ms. Choldenko use of dialogue in this book makes the reader feel they are actually in 1935. Her portrayal of Alcatraz will make you want to learn more about it and the families that lived there. She did an excellent job of breathing life into this story, and I think that most children (and adults) will enjoy reading it. And kids may learn a few things along the way about a part of American history.
    • 4/5
      A good sequel. Not quite as good as the first, but how many sequels are? When Al Capone requests a favor in return, the adventures begin. Fun!
    • 5/5
      This book lives up to the first one. I found myself totally caught up in all of the emotions. A must read!
    • 5/5
      This sequel to [Al Capone Does My Shirts] picks up where the first book left off. For Moose Flanagan, living on Alcatraz (where his dad is a guard) hasn't gotten any easier. Moose has all of the problems that you would expect for a boy his age - girl trouble, fights with friends - but he also has to deal with the fact that Al Capone has done him a favor. And now he owes Al one. I liked this book just as much as the first one. The story moves quickly, but it is the characters that I love. Moose, his sister Natalie, precocious Theresa, and even the warden's daughter Piper are likeable and real. An excellent read!
    • 4/5
      If you liked Al Capone does my shirts, you will love this sequel as the kids of prison guards learn about life on Alcatraz Island.
    • 3/5
      Sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts, but not quite as good. Still an enjoyable read about the kids who live on Alcatraz and what they do when they think Al Capone need a favor.
    • 4/5
      I loved this book because it was re-visiting old friends. It was nice to see how far they had come, the character development was deeper and there was quite a bit of excitement to the story. Moose is a great main character who is struggling with being on the brink of adolescence but still truly being a kid.
    • 4/5
      The sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts continues the adventures of 12-year-old Matthew “Moose” Flanagan and his friends, fellow children of Alcatraz Island guards. After Al Capone did a favor for Moose at the end of the first book, Moose gets a note in Capone’s hand that says “your turn.” After fretting for some time about the implications of this note, Moose eventually finds out Capone’s request and thinks it’s pretty innocuous. Little does he know all manner of chaos will soon break loose and Moose and his friends will have the adventure of a lifetime! As with the first book, Choldenko writes in simple, easily accessible language but by no means dumbs down her work. In many respects, this is high literature for young readers, although they probably won’t notice that between the fast-paced plot and Moose’s humorous and engaging narration. This is a definite winner – for children and even adults!
    • 5/5
      The year is 1935 and 12-year old Moose Flanagan and his sister, Natalie, are still living with their parents on Alcatraz Island where Moose's dad is a prison guard. The famous mobster, Al Capone is still in residence as well. In Al Capone Does My Shirts, Al Capone helped Moose by engineering Natalie's acceptance into a special-needs school in San Francisco. The action in Al Capone Shines My Shoes begins when Moose receives a note in his prison-laundered clothing, "your turn."Moose narrates the events that follow this missive from the powerful Al Capone, and there is plenty of action and suspense to satisfy readers. However, this book has far more to offer. As historical fiction, its location and period is certainly unique to the genre. What child wouldn't be interested in life on Alcatraz Island when Al Capone resided there? It's also a glimpse into a bygone era where 12-year-old kids can chaperone younger children on day-long trips in San Francisco and spend most of their time unsupervised, no modern "helicopter parents" appear in this book. For better or worse, life was just different back then. But what truly makes this a great book, is the relationship and depth of the younger characters. Rarely is there a children's book that offers insight into so many characters. By the end of Al Capone Shines My Shoes, the reader will identify with all of the island's young inhabitants - Jimmy, Moose's best friend who struggles to keep up with Moose's athletic prowess and easy likability; Jimmy's little sister, Theresa, who is much smarter than her seven years belie; the beautiful and spoiled Piper, the warden's daughter who acts out to cover her own grief; Janet Trixle, the tagalong daughter of one of the island's officers, Annie, Moose's good-natured and athletic girl friend, the story's narrator, Moose, who is learning much about love and life, and of course, Natalie, his autistic sister. Natalie's role in this story is not the role of the disabled sister, however. She is just another of the children. Yes, her disability causes complications and tension, but every child causes complications and tension, and Natalie is just another child. In the eyes of the Flanagans, and indeed, all of the local children, Natalie is simply Natalie - no better, no worse than anyone else. And although the Esther P. Marinoff School may try to "cure" Natalie, the Flanagan's are the only ones with the proper prescription - love. Al Capone, guard towers, prison escapes, baseball, mysterious notes, lies, cover-ups, adventure, love, honesty, friendship, responsibility - Gennifer Choldenko puts them all together brilliantly.
    • 4/5
      Moose Flanagan, who lives on Alcatraz along with his family and the families of the other prison guards, is frightened when he discovers that noted gangster Al Capone, a prisoner there, wants a favor in return for the help that he secretly gave Moose.
    • 5/5
      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 with more adventure than the first one. Moose gets to see both sides of Al Capone, the decent and the conniving side. The story is full of prejudices, overcoming prejudices, learning to be a friend to someone with out setting boundaries and learning to forgive. Moose’s sister Natalie plays a larger role in this book as well. I know they didn’t have a word for Natalie’s condition back then but the author draws upon her own experiences of having an autistic sister. I have worked with many autistic children in school and was able to make that subtle connection. It personalized the book in so many ways. I saw the kids the same way I see my students at school with some of the same problems such as, boyfriend, girlfriend problems, parent problems, friend problems and in some cases reacting inappropriately or making bad choices because of people who abuse authority. This will go on my shelves next to the first book.
    • 4/5
      It's 1935 and Moose is still living with his parents on Alcatraz Island. In the first book, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Moose asked Al Capone for a favor - to get his sister Natalie into the Esther P. Marinoff School. Well, now Natalie is safely enrolled in her special school and all is well. Until Moose gets a note in his laundry. From Al Capone. And the note says "Your turn." I am really liking these books. Excellently researched historical fiction. The titles lead me to believe that they will be funny, which they are at times, but I wouldn't classify them as humorous. I'll be eagerly anticipating the third book in the trilogy.
    • 4/5
      Moose and his Alcatraz friends from Al Capone Does My Shirts are back. In book one, Moose enlists Al Capone’s assistance getting his sister, Natalie, enrolled in a school for autistic children. Now it’s payback time. Tucked into his pillowcase, Moose finds a note from Capone saying “Your turn”. While all he wants is yellow roses when his wife visits, the task gives Moose hives and causes a rift with his friend Annie. The hijinks Moose et al get into are nerve wracking and exciting. On a visit home from school Natalie, unwittingly, brings a bar stretcher used by convicts to escape. The friends get rid of it, only to have a guard’s daughter use it as a doll toy. Jimmy breeds flies that he intends to train and harness. Jimmy’s little sister, Theresa, catches Moose kissing Piper, who nobody likes, knowing that Annie has a crush on him. And of course, there is the foiled convict escape.Choldenko’s book is worthwhile on many levels. First, it is a fun read with lots of action and good characters. She provides a glimpse of life on The Rock in the mid-1930s, expanding on it with Author’s Notes. Children act like children getting into typical kid trouble, all the while ending up heroes. Amidst the fun, however, Choldenko addresses issues such as prejudice against a special needs child, authority figures, a lonely twelve year old who lies so people will pay attention, a mother who could die in childbirth. Al Capone is a great read for boys and girls.