During the Depression, Alcatraz Island housed many of the country's most dangerous criminals, and the men who worked there also lived there with their families. This book is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts, and again is told by Moose, a boy who lives on the island and finds himself in a compromising situation with its most notorious prisoner, Al Capone. Communication between them is rare and is conducted through the laundry service the convicts provide for residents. The adults, many of whom are very decent while others are mean, don't know much of what goes on amongst the kids. Very good blend of both typical interpersonal conflict between the kids and bigger problems concerning the inmates. ( )

This is the sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts. Moose still lives on Alcatraz island where his father is a guard. Thanks to Al Capone his autistic sister has found a place into the Esther P. Marinoff School. Moose is grateful until he receives a note in his shirt that says “your turn”. Another note tells him that Mae Capone is coming for a visit and she loves yellow roses. Now he has to find a way to give her yellow roses without getting his father fired. This was a great book. It was filled with more adventure than the first one. Moose gets to see both sides of Al Capone, the decent and the conniving side. The story is full of prejudices, overcoming prejudices, learning to be a friend to someone with out setting boundaries and learning to forgive. Moose’s sister Natalie plays a larger role in this book as well. I know they didn’t have a word for Natalie’s condition back then but the author draws upon her own experiences of having an autistic sister. I have worked with many autistic children in school and was able to make that subtle connection. It personalized the book in so many ways. I saw the kids the same way I see my students at school with some of the same problems such as, boyfriend, girlfriend problems, parent problems, friend problems and in some cases reacting inappropriately or making bad choices because of people who abuse authority. This will go on my shelves next to the first book. ( )

I like Al Capone Does My Shirts better. ( )

It's 1935 and Moose is still living with his parents on Alcatraz Island. In the first book, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Moose asked Al Capone for a favor - to get his sister Natalie into the Esther P. Marinoff School. Well, now Natalie is safely enrolled in her special school and all is well. Until Moose gets a note in his laundry. From Al Capone. And the note says "Your turn."

I am really liking these books. Excellently researched historical fiction. The titles lead me to believe that they will be funny, which they are at times, but I wouldn't classify them as humorous. I'll be eagerly anticipating the third book in the trilogy. ( )

http://thenovelworld.com/2009/09/21/a... ( )