Annual event at Children's Book World - and Writi.The Monster in the Mudball - and a Giveaway!.Middle Grade Heaven - Seven debut authors from th.Which also makes this a great book for writers to study. It probably would help to read the first two books, but Choldenko has so skillfully introduced the situation and the time period and characters (without any info dumps) that this proves to be a smooth and enjoyable read whether you've read the first two books or not. But the information turns out to be far more important than that. I loved the way the author managed to work this in, making it seem like Capone is critiquing Moose's homework. After the fire, Moose discovers suggestions from Al Capone in a notebook that escaped the flames. But he often has to babysit for Natalie (although Choldenko wisely never mentions the term 'autism', since it wasn't used yet in 1936). Thirteen-year-old Moose wants to do what other kids do play baseball, run around, avoid homework. Why I liked it: The character of Moose won me over in the first book, and his voice is just as likable in this volume. If Moose can't figure out what Capone's note means, it may be too late.

Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. After a fire starts in the Flanagan's apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, it's a big deal. Synopsis (from Indiebound): Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. Source: Purchased from bn.com using the gift card I won from Michael Gettel-Gilmartin. Al Capone Does My Homework by Gennifer Choldenko (August 2013, Dial Books for Young Readers, historical fiction, for ages 9 to 12).

Al capone books by gennifer choldenko