AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS

Moose Flanagan moves to Alcatraz Island when his father accepts a job as a prison guard. It's 1935, and Al Capone is the island's most famous inmate. Moose gains popularity at his new school on the mainland for being a good ballplayer and having his laundry done by the prisoners. At home on the island, the attention comes from having an autistic sister who is perpetually 10. Johnny Heller has the ideal voice for a teenaged boy. You can picture the adolescent confusion, youthful enthusiasm, and humor, as well as the physical changes taking place. Heller's rendition of the story's female characters--sister Natalie, local queen bee Piper, and the pesky 7-year-old Teresa--is also exceptional. Choldenko has written a wonderful children's book, which Heller allows adults to enjoy as well. A.B. 2005 ALA Notable Recording, 2005 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]