The Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history. Al Capone Does My Shirts has become an instant classic for all kids to read Today I moved to Alcatraz a twelveacre rock covered with cement topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. Im not the only kid who lives here. There are twentythree other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cooks or doctors or electricians for the prison like my dad does. And then there are a ton of murderers rapists hit men con men stickup men embezzlers connivers burglars kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons dont want. I never knew prisons could be picky but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless youre me. I came here because my mother said I had to. A Newbery Honor Book A New York Times Bestseller A People magazine Best kids Book An ALA Book for Young Adults An ALA Notable Book A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Krikus Reviews Editors Choice A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Parents Choice Silver Honor Book A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age Choldenkos pacing is exquisite. . . . A great read.Kirkus Reviews starred review Exceptionally atmospheric fastpaced and memorablePublishers Weekly starred review The story told with humor and skill will fascinate readers.School Library Journal starred review Al is the perfect novel for a young guy or moll who digs books by Gordon Korman or Louis Sachar.Time Out New York for Kids Funny situations and plot twists aboundPeople magazine Heartstopping in some places heartrending in others and most of all it is heartwarming.San Francisco