Now thirteen, Moose Flanagan is still living on Alcatraz Island, where Al Capone is a prisoner and Moose's father has just become assistant warden. The promotion worries Moose, who knows prisoners are always more interested in targeting a warden for harm than a mere guard. Moose's concerns intensify after a fire in their apartment on a night he is home alone with his older sister, Natalie. Was their apartment targeted because of their dad's job? Just as awful, some neighbors are convinced Natalie is responsible for the fire. As far as Moose knows, both of them were asleep when it started. But Natalie's behavior (today she would probably be identified as autistic) has always made it hard for some people to accept her in the small, insular community of prison workers and their families. The warden appoints a task force to investigate the fire, but Moose and other kids, including the warden's daughter Piper, and Moose's friends Annie and Jimmie, launch their own investigation and unintentionally stumble onto a dangerous con game. Gennifer Choldenko's third and final Alcatraz novel, set in 1936, continues to explore themes of family and friendship, growth and change. The unique setting is vividly realized, while her singular characters and their relationships are dynamic in a story filled with tension, humor, and poignancy. Particularly moving is Moose's conflicting sense of responsibility for and resentment toward Natalie; and their parents' competing desires to shelter Natalie and help her as she strives to be more independent. (Ages 10-14)

Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it's a big deal. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. After a fire starts in the Flanagan's apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. Is Capone trying to protect Moose's dad too? If Moose can't figure out what Capone's note means, it may be too late.

The last heart-pounding installment in the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning Alcatraz trilogy is not to be missed!

"Superlative historical fiction." -- School Library Journal (starred review for Al Capone Shines My Shoes)