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A review by marriedtoaghost
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I was borrowed this book by a family member that told me I might relate to the struggles of the main character. I was, naturally, intrigued and sped through the story. As someone with two autistic siblings, very similar in personality to Natalie, this book portrayed disability, particularly in someone you live with, in a way that made me feel less alone. So, in all this, I'm biased. If I see a character that makes me feel represented, that means I not only may, but naturally will look at the entire book through rose colored glasses.
I enjoyed the fast pacing -- good times don't last long but neither do the bad ones. The main character sprung from the pages with his colloquial style that feels almost wrong for a book in the 1930s. But I liked it! It truly is easy to forget that people from that time are not so far from people today. Giving as little spoilers as possible, the fast pace sparks many different emotions from the reader, the tone shifting from passive to anxiety-ridden to irritated within only a few of its short chapters. I found the ending to be a touch cliche, but I struggle to point to a children's book that doesn't have its predictability. (I ignore Bridge to Terabithia. I think we were all a great deal traumatized from that one...)
I also learned more than I thought I would from a kid's book! Although I'd heard the name, I was unfamiliar with Alcatraz Island for the most part. It prompted me to do some research on the place, and the names of the prisoners that were sprinkled in the book. Al Capone lacks a solid role, living only in the main character's dialogues, until the very end of the book. I initially wasn't impressed by this decision, but looking back now it feels the more respectful one on Choldenko's part, due to Al Capone being a very real individual with very real crimes.
Overall, I would recommend it to both children and anyone who's old enough to read kids books again.
(H/T C.S Lewis.) Five stars :)
I enjoyed the fast pacing -- good times don't last long but neither do the bad ones. The main character sprung from the pages with his colloquial style that feels almost wrong for a book in the 1930s. But I liked it! It truly is easy to forget that people from that time are not so far from people today. Giving as little spoilers as possible, the fast pace sparks many different emotions from the reader, the tone shifting from passive to anxiety-ridden to irritated within only a few of its short chapters. I found the ending to be a touch cliche, but I struggle to point to a children's book that doesn't have its predictability. (I ignore Bridge to Terabithia. I think we were all a great deal traumatized from that one...)
I also learned more than I thought I would from a kid's book! Although I'd heard the name, I was unfamiliar with Alcatraz Island for the most part. It prompted me to do some research on the place, and the names of the prisoners that were sprinkled in the book. Al Capone lacks a solid role, living only in the main character's dialogues, until the very end of the book. I initially wasn't impressed by this decision, but looking back now it feels the more respectful one on Choldenko's part, due to Al Capone being a very real individual with very real crimes.
Overall, I would recommend it to both children and anyone who's old enough to read kids books again.
(H/T C.S Lewis.) Five stars :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism