Al Capone Does My Homework

Starred review from May 20, 2013
This final installment in the life of Moose Flanagan, a boy who lives on Alcatraz Island during the 1930s, brings Choldenko’s trilogy to a satisfying conclusion. The story opens with good news: Moose’s father, Cam, has been promoted to associate warden of the island’s infamous prison. But the new job makes Cam a target, and the family feels the backlash immediately when a suspicious fire breaks out at their apartment while Moose and his developmentally disabled sister, Natalie, are home alone. A malicious neighbor suggests Natalie started the blaze, inciting problems with the special boarding school Natalie attends. Mean-while, money is changing hands in odd ways around the island, and inmate No. 85 (Capone) sends Moose another cryptic note, written on Moose’s homework (“Luckily, he wrote in pencil”), which helps Moose and his affable gang sort the good guys from the bad. Choldenko continues to infuse the Alcatraz community with warmth and originality (the kids play “rock, newspapers, shiv”). Despite being “the roughest hard-time prison in America,” by the end of this winning series, it’s also a place Moose comes to proudly call home. Ages 10–up.

November 25, 2013
In the 1930s, Moose Flanagan and his autistic sister, Natalie, live on Alcatraz Island, in the San Francisco Bay; their father works at the island’s infamous prison. But after his dad is promoted to associate warden and a mysterious fire strikes the Flanagan home, Moose receives a mysterious note concerning his father’s well-being from infamous gangster Al Capone. This fun novel set in the 1930s from Choldenko is brought to life via an inspired reading from narrator Kirby Heyborne, who’s youthful tone is a perfect match for Moose. Heyborne’s reading is flawless from start to finish; his delivery is well paced, and his pronunciation perfect. Heyborne’s character voices don’t differ greatly, but they’re all believable and immediate. Ages 10–up. A Dial hardcover.