Well, I'm back from Solitary ; )
A few months ago, I read Al Capone Does my Shirts. I don't normally like "middle school kids doing middle school things" books (I didn't like them when I was in middle school either...), but this is "middle school boy living on Alcatraz in 1935 and dealing with his autistic sister and the never-ending schemes of the warden's daughter." So, it's much cooler than a standard "average middle school life" book.
I've been meaning to read this for a while because it's a frequently banned and challenged book. I was curious to know why, and also just curious. I mean, come on, that's a title that makes you ask questions.
As to the challenges:
A quick search of the American Library Association's pages on banned and challenged books, lists this as a "frequently challenged young adult book," but doesn't provide reasons for the challenges.
My guesses for the challenges are as follows:
1. On the very first page, Moose, the 12 year old main character, points out that the prisoners on Alcatraz are "murderers and rapists."
2. The Warden, when warning the newcomers that girls and women are not allowed to wear bathing suits on the island, explains to Moose that "many of these convicts haven't seen a woman in years. You're old enough to understand what that means, right?"
3. Natalie, Moose's sister is autistic and on occasion throws tantrums that could, potentially, be bothersome for very young readers.
4. On one very hot day, Natalie takes off her clothes and lays naked on the kitchen floor. Moose worries the neighbors will see her.
5. At one point, a 16 year old girl holds hands with a convict; the Warden's daughter suggests that now the girl might be pregnant.
Honestly, most of these would have either gone over my head at the age of 12 ("you're old enough to understand what that means" - is he?) or just not have been a problem at all.
Moose struggles with family, friends, rules... things that most middle school kids relate to, but also on a much bigger scale. If he disobeys his parents, his father could lose his job. If he succumbs to peer pressure he might encounter actual dangerous convicts. If he breaks rules, someone might literally die.
Moose is strong and smart and, while he obviously loves his sister, caring for her and helping out his parents in just-post-depression America on a prison island is a lot for any kid to handle.
All in all, a delightful book that works for its happy ending.
