This book, at one point, Al Capone Does My Shirts, made me angry. I love the premise of following a 12-year-old boy, Moose, as he and his family move into staff housing on Alcatraz. The set up is interesting, and the scenes with the warden and other details were also good.
What bugged me most was the kid’s mother. And the “love interest” (I assume she’ll become a love interest). Mainly because both were infuriating. Perhaps this is a sign of a good book? When you care for the main character enough to dislike those people who are mistreating him, I suppose you could make an argument that the author has succeeded in her mission.
Eventually the tension resolved and I was able to finish the book. But for awhile there, I absolutely hated some of the things I was reading.
This is book one of a series. It ends on an interesting note. Looks like there will be more shenanigans on Alcatraz and in the City. I’m not sure I liked the book enough to pick up book number two. Although I do like stories that have Alcatraz in them.
The book is by Gennifer Choldenko and you can view a Kindle preview on Amazon by clicking here. Book One in the Tales from Alcatraz series. For young people and young at heart people.
I gave the book three stars. I liked it (by the end), but I wasn’t thrilled or inspired by it.
The Bear View 
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