Al Capone Does My Shirts: An Analysis
In 2005 Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko was awarded a John Newbery Honor. Set during the 1930’s, Matthew Flanagan, a twelve-year-old boy, must adjust to living on the same island as the Alcatraz Penitentiary. In addition to the challenges he faces as a result of his location, Matthew also deals an internal struggle. In Al Capone Does My Shirts, topics such as children with disabilities, maturing, strained relationships with parents arise. Matthew’s internal dilemma is what makes Al Capone Does My Shirts an award-winning novel. Matthew is split between two personas. When his father is not present, Matthew believes that he must be the “man of the house.” However, when his father is at home, Matthew wants to do things such as