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protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
What a treat it is to return to Alcatraz! I find the cast of characters to be well rounded and engaging and the stories have a hint of excitement that keeps things fresh due to the cons roaming about. It was tough seeing Moose's friends all upset with him, but he kept true to himself and that's what makes him such a compelling character.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook narrated Kirby Heyborne.
Book two in this entertaining middle-school series, set on Alcatraz Island during the Great Depression. Moose Flanagan’s dad is a guard at the maximum security prison, and the family lives in the apartments provided for workers and their families. His sister, Natalie, has a condition that is apparently autism (though that diagnosis wasn’t used in this time frame, so it is never identified as such), and attends a special boarding school. But she comes home for a visit during a school holiday and that coincides with some major events on the island.
I was completely charmed by the first book, and certainly interested in this second outing. The relationships between the kids seem real to me. Moose is unfailingly “nice” to everyone, and so is liked by both kids and adults. He’s passionate about baseball, and has a huge crush on the warden’s daughter, Piper. His gang of friends includes Jimmy, who is terrible at sports but fascinated by insects, Annie, who can throw better than most boys, and Theresa, a wise-beyond-her-years 7-year old who is Jimmy’s little sister.
Moose deals with many of the things most 12-year-olds have to face, including bullying, peer pressure, and adults who don’t understand him. But he’s also burdened by a unique relationship with one particular inmate: Al Capone.
Kirby Heyborne does a find job narrating the audiobook. He’s a little less successful trying to voice the various female characters, though he does a reasonably good job with Natalie and Theresa.
Book two in this entertaining middle-school series, set on Alcatraz Island during the Great Depression. Moose Flanagan’s dad is a guard at the maximum security prison, and the family lives in the apartments provided for workers and their families. His sister, Natalie, has a condition that is apparently autism (though that diagnosis wasn’t used in this time frame, so it is never identified as such), and attends a special boarding school. But she comes home for a visit during a school holiday and that coincides with some major events on the island.
I was completely charmed by the first book, and certainly interested in this second outing. The relationships between the kids seem real to me. Moose is unfailingly “nice” to everyone, and so is liked by both kids and adults. He’s passionate about baseball, and has a huge crush on the warden’s daughter, Piper. His gang of friends includes Jimmy, who is terrible at sports but fascinated by insects, Annie, who can throw better than most boys, and Theresa, a wise-beyond-her-years 7-year old who is Jimmy’s little sister.
Moose deals with many of the things most 12-year-olds have to face, including bullying, peer pressure, and adults who don’t understand him. But he’s also burdened by a unique relationship with one particular inmate: Al Capone.
Kirby Heyborne does a find job narrating the audiobook. He’s a little less successful trying to voice the various female characters, though he does a reasonably good job with Natalie and Theresa.
cami19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting perspective on "being good" or pleasing people.
mdpbernal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
evamadera1's review against another edition
2.5
Choldenko did not do anything explicitly wrong in this book but she did include a few things in the narrative that rubbed e the wrong way. A side character made a few sexist comments which, while unfortunately typical of the time period never got pushed back upon. In fact, the main character turned to this character for "romantic" advice. I also felt uncomfortable with the portrayal of autism and the ways to "treat" it. I will not continue the series.
leilakrzyzewski's review against another edition
2.0
Apparently Al Capone had a soft spot for children with special needs.
sidneyellwood's review against another edition
5.0
[review written 2011]
I read the prequel to Al Capone Shines My Shoes last time I visited Alcatraz, which was two years ago. But I found the sequel in my school library, and of course had to read it. This book was really good. As I said, I can’t compare it to the previous installment in the series, but it was still fantastic as a stand-alone book.
Piper did seem a little bit bipolar in the book, though, and there were so many characters I got confused. But that might just be me. All in all, it was a fabulous read, quick as well, and I recommend it to any history-lovers. Capone does make more than one appearance in this book so if you’re interested in that…
I read the prequel to Al Capone Shines My Shoes last time I visited Alcatraz, which was two years ago. But I found the sequel in my school library, and of course had to read it. This book was really good. As I said, I can’t compare it to the previous installment in the series, but it was still fantastic as a stand-alone book.
Piper did seem a little bit bipolar in the book, though, and there were so many characters I got confused. But that might just be me. All in all, it was a fabulous read, quick as well, and I recommend it to any history-lovers. Capone does make more than one appearance in this book so if you’re interested in that…
jeneca's review against another edition
5.0
I'm loving these books. If the characters finally start to bother me, I know I'm in. Piper doesn't make me near as angry as she seems to bother everyone else. It's the incompetency in their relation ships as well as the amount of living that gets me.... I have adored the books so dark I can't wait to get ahold of the next one.
I really enjoy the role that Al Capone actually plays in these books, there, but not there, yet stringing the whole thing together.
I really enjoy the role that Al Capone actually plays in these books, there, but not there, yet stringing the whole thing together.
megtk_01's review against another edition
4.0
Check out more of my reviews! http://lovingliteraturemrsking.blogspot.com/
How does living on Alcatraz with Al Capone and 277 of America’s worst criminals sound to you? That’s where Moose Flanagan lives with his family, along with the other guards and their families. In Gennifer Choldenko’s second novel about Moose, Al Capone Shine My Shoes, our main character is in a real fix. In the first novel, Moose asked for help getting his sister Natalie into a special school. Al has done that, and now it’s Moose’s turn to pay up.
Choldenko connects the events from Al Capone Does My Shirts seamlessly, without a “last time on Alcatraz…” feeling. While Moose is dealing with this big favor that Al Capone wants from him, he’s also dealing with friends. Everyone likes Moose—right? Not always. Right now, it seems like everyone is upset with him. When his older sister Natalie comes home for a visit, everything becomes even more complicated. Lots of adventures ensue as Moose tries to do the right thing and still keep everyone happy. He’ll learn, though, that trying to make everyone happy doesn’t always work.
I like the pressure that Choldenko puts Moose under. It makes him uncomfortable as he struggles to be a good person and to deal with the false ideas other have of him. He is a good kid, but finds himself in predicaments with his friends on a regular basis. Most of the problems he finds himself in revolve around Al Capone and the fascination they all seem to have with the charismatic prisoner who sends messages to Moose through the laundry.
Weaving historical facts with her own imagination, Choldenko has created a believable space for the Alcatraz kids to grow up in. She has created characters to live in the real life Alcatraz and woven in real life characters with whom they interact. One of the most interesting things is the author’s note in which she describes the facts surrounding Alcatraz and how she used them. We’re given glimpses into some of her interviews with people who really did live on Alcatraz with their families. She also points out to us the events she has created that are fictional, but also explains where she pulled the ideas from. This is a glimpse into her craft that I enjoyed and made the story even more enjoyable.
Even if you aren’t a huge historical fiction fan, you’ll enjoy the shenanigans of the Alcatraz kids. Their characters are believable and, although set in 1935, highly relatable by both boys and girls. Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a fun read that should not be missed!
How does living on Alcatraz with Al Capone and 277 of America’s worst criminals sound to you? That’s where Moose Flanagan lives with his family, along with the other guards and their families. In Gennifer Choldenko’s second novel about Moose, Al Capone Shine My Shoes, our main character is in a real fix. In the first novel, Moose asked for help getting his sister Natalie into a special school. Al has done that, and now it’s Moose’s turn to pay up.
Choldenko connects the events from Al Capone Does My Shirts seamlessly, without a “last time on Alcatraz…” feeling. While Moose is dealing with this big favor that Al Capone wants from him, he’s also dealing with friends. Everyone likes Moose—right? Not always. Right now, it seems like everyone is upset with him. When his older sister Natalie comes home for a visit, everything becomes even more complicated. Lots of adventures ensue as Moose tries to do the right thing and still keep everyone happy. He’ll learn, though, that trying to make everyone happy doesn’t always work.
I like the pressure that Choldenko puts Moose under. It makes him uncomfortable as he struggles to be a good person and to deal with the false ideas other have of him. He is a good kid, but finds himself in predicaments with his friends on a regular basis. Most of the problems he finds himself in revolve around Al Capone and the fascination they all seem to have with the charismatic prisoner who sends messages to Moose through the laundry.
Weaving historical facts with her own imagination, Choldenko has created a believable space for the Alcatraz kids to grow up in. She has created characters to live in the real life Alcatraz and woven in real life characters with whom they interact. One of the most interesting things is the author’s note in which she describes the facts surrounding Alcatraz and how she used them. We’re given glimpses into some of her interviews with people who really did live on Alcatraz with their families. She also points out to us the events she has created that are fictional, but also explains where she pulled the ideas from. This is a glimpse into her craft that I enjoyed and made the story even more enjoyable.
Even if you aren’t a huge historical fiction fan, you’ll enjoy the shenanigans of the Alcatraz kids. Their characters are believable and, although set in 1935, highly relatable by both boys and girls. Al Capone Shines My Shoes is a fun read that should not be missed!