Al Capone Does My Shirts
By Gennifer Choldenko
Chapters 1-5
In what year does this story take place? P. 3
What is the setting of the story (where)? P. 3
How big is the island? P. 3
Exactly where is Alcatraz situated? P. 3
In what state is San Francisco located?
Who lives on Alcatraz? P. 3
What is synonym for prisoner? P. 3
Who is the narrator of the story? P. 3
Is this story told in first or third person? How do you know?
What two jobs does Mr. Flannigan have? P. 4
Who is the main character of this story?
With whom does he live?
What is different about Natalie?
What is the clinical diagnosis of Natalie’s condition?
What is Moose’s real name? p. 5
Why does Natalie like her buttons so much?
Who is Bea Trixle? P. 10
Who is Theresa? How old is she?
Who is Piper? How does Moose characterize her? p. 13
Write down five facts about Al Capone. Pgs. 14-15
Who was Machine Gun Kelly? P. 15
Who was Roy Gardner? P. 15
What is one of Natalie’s extraordinary skills? P. 18
Where is the family going to send Natalie? Why? P. 23
Most of us can adjust to stress, but people with autism struggle with
_________________? “_______________ is hard. It’s hard for you, it’s hard for me,
it’s murder on your sister.” P. 33
Al Capone Does My Shirts
By Gennifer Choldenko
Chapters 1-5
ANSWERS
In what year does this story take place? P. 3
1935
What is the setting of the story (where)? P. 3
Alcatraz and San Francisco, CA
How big is the island? P. 3
Twelve-acres
Exactly where is Alcatraz situated? P. 3
“Alcatraz sits smack in the middle of the bay (San Francisco Bay) – so close to the city of
San Francisco…”
In what state is San Francisco located?
California
Who lives on Alcatraz? P. 3
Prisoners and workers
What is synonym for prisoner? P. 3
convict
Who is the narrator of the story? P. 3
Moose
Is this story told in first or third person? How do you know?
First person, use of “I” “me” “my”
What two jobs does Mr. Flannigan have? P. 4
Guard and electrician
Who is the main character of this story?
Moose
With whom does he live?
His family – mom (Helen), dad (Cam), sister (Natalie)
What is different about Natalie?
She doesn’t act like other children.
What is the clinical diagnosis of Natalie’s condition?
Autism
What is Moose’s real name? p. 5
Matthew
Why does Natalie like her buttons so much?
She likes math so likes to count buttons
Who is Bea Trixle? P. 10
Neighbor
Who is Theresa? How old is she?
Neighbor, 7 years old
Who is Piper? How does Moose characterize her? p. 13
Warden’s daughter, she is bossy
Write down five facts about Al Capone. Pgs. 14-15
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nicknames – Scarface, Big Al, Snorky
Born in New York, January 17, 1899
Married to Mae, Son is Sonny
Boolegger, gangster, mob boss
Yellow and pea green favorite colors
Who was Machine Gun Kelly? P. 15
World famous kidnapper
Alcatraz prisoner
Who was Roy Gardner? P. 15
Escaped from prison (but not Alcatraz) 110 times
Alcatraz prsioner
What is one of Natalie’s extraordinary skills? P. 18
Math
Where is the family going to send Natalie? Why? P. 23
Esther P. Marinoff school for special needs
Most of us can adjust to stress, but people with autism struggle with CHANGE?
“CHANGE is hard. It’s hard for you, it’s hard for me, it’s murder on your sister.” P. 33