AL CAPON Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

vocabulary word 1: Alcatraz

• A working penitentiary from 1934-1963  
• Quote : "Alcatraz sits smack in the middle 
• of the bay." (p. 1). Taken from Al Capone
• Does My Shirts. 
• No other form for Alcatraz

VOCABULARY WORD 2: Severance

• Removal of a part from the whole
• Quote : "If anything like this occurs again, all of 
• your fathers will be dismissed without severance."
• (p. 115). Taken from Al Capone Does My Shirts
• A breaking off, as in a friendship

VOCABULARY WORD 3: conniving

• Definition: To cooperate secretly. 
• Quote: "Do you know what conniving 
• means?" (p. 39). Al Capone Does My 
• Shirts.
• No other forms of the word.

Summary
This book is about a 12 year old boy named, Moose. His dad got a job on Alcatraz and his family moved there. He has a sister, Natalie, who has autism. The book discusses many challenges faced by his family. His mom wants to get her into a special school that has substantiated improvements for a lot of kids with autism. the school turns her down, but his mom keeps trying. His new friends accept Natalie. Moose learns to understand that he, like his mom, will do crazy things to help Natalie get into this special school. He writes a letter asking Al Capone, a prisoner at Alcatraz, to help by contacting people who owe him favors on the outside. Natalie gets accepted to the school, finally. Moose gets a note from Al Capone which states, "Done."

Five  w's

• Who: Moose,Natalie,Piper,Theresa, mom, dad, Al Capone
• What: Trying to help Natalie with her autism 
• When:Friday,January 4,1935-Wednesday, June 12,1935
• Where:Alkatraz, Sanfrancisco.

The main character is a 12 year old boy named Moose and his sister, Natalie, has autism. They try really hard to get passed.

Untitled Slide

• Why: Because Moose's dad got a job there. 

Characterization: Moose
At the beginning of the book, was always good and obedient. When Mrs. McCraw said bad things about his sister he didn't disagree.

Beginning Quote:"I nodded then. I didn't mean to. Really I didn't. My neck nodded without my telling it to. But once I nodded, I couldn't un-nod." (p. 29). taken from Al Capone Does My Shirts

Middle Characterization: In the middle he went from being obedient to challenging Mr. Purdy, at the special school, when he complained about Natalie's behavior.

Middle Quote:"Did you take her buttons away? I ask.
My mom looks at me then Mr Purdy."

Characterization End:
In the end moose doesn't worry about getting into trouble. He asks the warden if Al Capone could help Natalie get into the special school.

Quote:
"You won't believe what I did." I asked the Warden if he'd get Al Capone to help us get Natalie into School."

Main Theme: Having a sister with autism.

Quote 1 : "Piper snorts, 'Sounds to me like she's just plain crazy, my dad isn't going to like this.'" (p.19). Taken from Al Capone Does My Shirts.

What's Going On:
Moose and his family have just moved to Alcatraz and Moose is faced with having to hide or explain Natalie's autism to new friends.

Quote 2 :
"I wondered if there would be time to get Natalie and then get back to school in time to play ball with the guys.It would be embarrassing to have her there, but at least i could play." (p. 85). Al Capone Does My Shirts.

What's Going On:
Moose has to watch his sister and take her everywhere he goes, including baseball. This is embarrassing and frustrating for him.

Quote 3:
"Now I understand. When you love someone, you have to try things even if they don't make sense to anyone else."(p.201)Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Whats Going On:
He is noticing that he loves Natalie and will do whatever it takes to help her.

Authors Purpose:
The authors purpose is to to inform and entertain.

The point of view is: That there is a stigma and lack of understanding put on people with autism.

Quote:"Mrs.McCraw came to visit.'Put her in a asylum, it's the humane thing to do,'......My mom turned to ashen. She told Mrs.McCraw She wasn't welcome in our home ever again."(p.29)Al Capone Does My Shirts.

"My mom's done a million things to help Natalie...Nothing has helped, but suddenly I see this isn't true. One thing has helped. Carrie Kelly. Natalie has been more a part of things here on the island than she ever has before. She's had a life here, for the first time." (p.199). Take from Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Conclusion Slide:
This was a very good book. I think any one would enjoy it.There is a second book in the series called Al Cap-pone Shines my Shoes. Thanks for watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!