A boy’s life on Alcatraz

“Al Capone Does My Shirts”

Gennifer Choldenko

I’ve never been to Alcatraz, but the author made me feel how life would be for an ordinary boy on Alcatraz in 1935. A 12-year-old boy named Matthew goes to live on Alcatraz because his dad gets a job there as an electrician and guard. He has to take care of his older sister, Natalie, who is autistic.

His sister Natalie wants to go to the Ester P. Marrinoff school, but she does not get in. People on the island think she will cause trouble because she is autistic.

The story is filled with some interesting characters like Roy Gardner, Machine Gun Kelly and the worst, Al Capone.

Matthew encounters many challenges on the island, like protecting his sister, living up to his parents’ expectations and staying out of trouble.

In addition to all that, Piper Williams, the warden’s daughter, involves him in her schemes, which lead to trouble.

I give this book thumbs up because it was hard to put down.

Reviewed by Sean, 9

Bay Laurel Elementary

Calabasas

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“The Case of the Double Trouble Detectives”

James Preller

This book is about a new secret agent and a detective. The detective teaches the secret agent, named Reginald Pinkerton Armitage III, that, even though his secret-agent business uses a lot of cool machines like communicator watches, gadgets don’t help that much in the detective business. The detective is named Jigsaw Jones. He solves a real mystery and shows Reginald how to really solve mysteries without gadgets. You’ll have to read this book to find out what the mystery is. If you like detectives and mysteries, this is a good book for you.

Reviewed by Sammy, 1st Grade

Loma Vista School

Ventura

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“The Christmas Puppy”

Roberta Grobel Intrater

Nobody knows where Tina (a puppy) is from. She just shows up in the shelter. A boy named Zach comes to Tina’s cage. She is a beautiful puppy with short tan-and-white hair. Her face is white with tan patches around her soft brown eyes. Her paws and belly and the tip of her tail are white too, but her floppy ears are all tan.

Soon Zach adopts Tina. Zach is so happy. He goes home and shows his dad. His dad likes Tina too.

When Zach’s dad takes Tina to his workplace, she keeps chewing on a table that Zach’s dad is making. Then Zach’s mom finds Tina chewing on her drawing markers under her bed.

One day when Tina is in the backyard, she gets out. What will happen to Tina?

Reviewed by Michelle, 4th Grade

Joaquin Miller Elementary

Burbank

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