Books like Al Capone shines my shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
Moose Flanagan’s quiet life on Alcatraz in 1935 is altered when a letter from the notorious gangster Al Capone arrives, offering help for Moose’s sister Natalie’s school admission in San Francisco. After the first request is granted, Moose receives another note—“Your turn.” The new message forces Moose to weigh family loyalty against his fear of endangering his father’s job at the prison guards. Set against the historical backdrop of Alcatraz, the story explores themes of sibling support, integrity, and the moral choices of a young boy facing dangerous adults. As a juvenile‑fiction adventure, it blends real historical figures with the imaginative life of a child in a prison environment.
First publish date: 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction/20th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Gennifer Choldenko
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4.7 (3 community ratings)
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