Al Capone Throws Me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko [Review]

Al Capone Throws Me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko

Format/Source: Hardcover

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
★★★★ 

Moose Flanagan lives on a famous island in California: Alcatraz, home to some of the most dangerous prisoners in the United States in the 1930s. It’s the summer before he starts high school, and Moose is going to play a lot of baseball and win a spot on the high school team. But he still needs to watch his special older sister, Natalie–and then the warden asks Moose to look after his two-faced, danger-loving daughter, Piper.

In the cell house there are rumors that the cons will a strike, and that Moose’s father might step up to a new job. Moose is worried: What will this mean for their family, especially for Natalie, who’s had some scary run-ins with prisoners? Then the unthinkable happens: Natalie winds up someplace she should never, ever go. And Moose has to rescue her.

Al Capone Does My Shirts was published in 2004, when I was in middle school. I remember seeing the book on my school library’s shelf. The title intrigued me, but I never picked it up because it wasn’t fantasy. Having just blazed through Al Capone Throws Me a Curve (the fourth book in the series), I realize I missed out by skipping the earlier books. Curve places a caring family in a unique historical setting, creating a story both compelling and meaningful.

What I most enjoyed about this book is the sincerity and believability of the characters. There are no ignorantly dumb adults or stubbornly silly kids for the sake of a plot. Everyone has logical motivation for their actions. Moose in particular makes a likable main character with his dedication to protecting his sister. He doesn’t infantilize her as their mother does, but he understands her and understands that Alcatraz isn’t an appropriate place for her. As an autistic young woman, Natalie gives some weight to the story as her family comes to term with Natalie growing up and having the same wants and behaviour as a neutrotypical woman.

The 1930s setting of Alcatraz brings a lot of fun to the story, even though the setting itself is a serious and dangerous place. Choldenko writes this historical element well, in that the time and place are integral to the story line without being shoehorned in. Even after three previous books, readers will still find this one has a few new areas to explore. A helpful author’s note provides further details on the time, place, and characters in the story.

“What’s happening up there?” I ask.

“Every one of them stayed in their cells except Fastball. If he strikes, he won’t get probation.”

“Easy choice”.

She crosses her arms.

“No, it’s not. The other cons will beat him to a bloody nub for not striking. And if he fights back, he’ll get written up for that.”

“That’s not fair!”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Moose – prison is not fair.” (p. 62)

I haven’t mentioned the baseball component yet. Given the title and description, baseball plays a smaller role than I anticipated (thankfully, I might add…). Moose receives a punishment that prevents him from playing ball for most of the book. Baseball functions as a motivating factor rather than the main action of the book, but I think it would still appeal to baseball fans given that there are a couple games and Moose has baseball on the brain most of the time.

From what I’ve read online, it seems most people considered this series done at three (the third book was published in 2013). I haven’t read the three books preceding this one. I didn’t feel I was missing out on too much. There are references to previous books  that make me curious about their stories, and readers would no doubt connect more with the characters if they had read their previous stories. At least one character who seemed to have a major role in the previous book has no role in this story. Regardless, I was impressed at how well Curve stands on its own.  I imagine Alcatraz will still feel exciting to long time readers of the series.

The Bottom Line

Appealing to new and old readers of the series alike, Al Capone Throws Me a Curve shows the creativity and excitement that can be found in historical middle grade fiction.

Further Reading

• Author website
• Read an excerpt
• Interview @ Middle Grade Minded