Al Capone Throws Me a Curve

Written by Gennifer Choldenko
Expected Publication: May 8, 2018

Why I chose this book: 
I received a copy of this through a GoodReads giveaway.

Mom's Review

Before beginning high school, Moose struggles to join the baseball team and care for a sister with autism, all while living on Alcatraz Island.

Moose is the son of the assistant warden on Alcatraz. He encounters many obstacles to joining a baseball team during the summer before his freshman year. Moose must look after Piper, the warden's troublesome daughter. He must convince an unreasonable baseball captain who wants Alcatraz souvenirs to let him play. And first and foremost, Moose must care for Natalie, his sister with autism who turns 17.

Heart-pounding action and authentic characters grab the reader and don't let go until the end. The real strength of Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is Moose and Natalie's relationship. Moose loves his sister dearly, becomes exasperated at times with her behavior, and balances their individual goals. Natalie, meanwhile, asserts herself as a young lady and develops many new social skills. Readers with siblings who have differences, be they social, mental, or physical, can identify with Moose's feelings, thoughts, and reactions to his sister. I read this book at every opportunity over the past few days, and I cried when it ended. The other children's books that made me cry were Wonder and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Son's Review
(age 2 years and 11 months)

Son, seeing Mom open the mail and this book appear: Is that for me?

Mom: Not yet, but you can read it when you are older.

Son: Okay.  Can I have the bookmark now?
(It came with an Alcatraz series bookmark.)

Mom: How about when I'm done using it?

Son: [takes it anyways]