<Tr> <Th> Awards </Th> <Td> Newbery Honor selection, California Young Reader Medal in 2007 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> Al Capone Shines My Shoes </Td> </Tr> <P> Al Capone Does My Shirts is a historical fiction novel for young adults by author Gennifer Choldenko . In this story, Moose Flanagan and his family move from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island . The move was caused by the father's new job positions as an electrician and as a guard in the well known Alcatraz prison . The book was named as a Newbery Honor selection and in 2007 it received the California Young Reader Medal . It has two sequels, Al Capone Shines My Shoes and Al Capone Does My Homework . </P> <P> Moose Flanagan and his family composed of father Cam, mother Helen, and sister Natalie move from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island in the 1930s . The move was caused by Cam's new job as an electrician and guard at Alcatraz prison . The Flanagans pretend that Natalie, who is fifteen and has autism, is only ten in hopes gain her admission to the Esther P. Marinoff School, an off - island school for children with mental illness directed by a Mr. Purdy . This lie is encouraged by Moose's mother, who believes that the Marinoff School is Natalie's only hope for a cure and wants to avoid sending Natalie to a mental institution . Due to his parents' hectic work schedules Moose is left with almost full responsibility of Natalie while he is also trying to fit in at his new on - island school . Natalie is accepted into the Esther P. Marinoff School, but is sent back home almost immediately because she's having trouble adjusting to the school . Moose's mother and Natalie's new psychologist, Mrs. Kelly, push Moose to take full care of Natalie and to take her everywhere he goes to help improve her social skills . </P>

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