Al Capone Does My Shirts

Last year, while on vacation at Surf City on LBI I read two books. The first was "Last of the Mohicans". The other was "Al Capone Does My Shirts."  I don't know what it says about me, but I enjoyed the latter book more.
"Al Capone Does My Shirts" is a children's book. They list it as young adult, but I promise you that if you have a son or daughter around the age of 9 or up who enjoys a really good story, they will love this book.
The story takes place in 1935 and is told through the eyes of a boy named Moose Flanagan. Jobs are scarce during the great depression, and Moose's father has just gotten a job as a prison guard on Alcatraz Island. In those days, entire families lived on the Island, so Moose, his mom, dad and older sister move into one of the cottages there. Moose's sister is autistic. Her mother is desperate to get her into a special school which costs quite a bit of money, but is affordable as long as Moose's dad keeps his job. The school however, only accepts younger students. This was often the case in that time because they felt that younger children would learn, whereas young adults couldn't.  Moose's mother tells everyone her daughter is 10, although she is 16. Ultimately, the school turns her down. That is when Moose has an idea. He will ask Al Capone for a favor.
Al Capone is one of the prisoners housed on the Island. The children are strictly forbidden to have any contact at all with the prisoners, except in an official capacity. Some of the prisoners act as handymen, some act as chefs, Al Capone works in the laundry. Moose sends him a note, via the laundry asking Al Capone to help his sister. Although Al Capone comes through, results lead Moose to learn the lesson, "Be careful what you wish for."
There is a second novel in this series called "Al Capone Shines My Shoes". After I read the first book I waited for the second one to come out and bought it the first day it became available.
Gennifer Choldenko is the author. She has a sister with autism, and worked for a while on Alcatraz, so that the two experiences were able to come together. The book earned a Newberry Honor, although in my opinion it should be the winner. This is an excellent book, well written and very exciting for both boys and girls. It is definitely a book everyone can enjoy!