Al Capone Does My Shirts

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What important events happened in the 1930s? What might have caused a spike in crime during this time?

Teaching Suggestion: Moose, the novel’s protagonist, is forced to move to Alcatraz Island when his parents are seeking help for his sister’s autism. The novel is set in the 1930s, when Al Capone is imprisoned on the island. Introducing the novel might include direct instruction or student investigation into the social upheaval of the 1930s and the spike in crime during this time. Students might utilize these or similar resources for an overview of the 1930s and Prohibition’s role in the rise of crime.

• This 2-minute video provides a brief overview of major events that occurred in the 1930s.
• This 5-minute video describes Prohibition and its role in the rise of crime.

2. What is autism? How might treatment for children on the autism spectrum be different today than it was in the past?

Teaching Suggestion: Natalie, Moose’s sister, is on the autism spectrum. Her family is uncertain of how to help her because there is little understanding of autism in the 1930s. With sensitivity to class members’ individual differences, consider using the following or similar resources to identify the autism spectrum, learn about the characteristics of those who are on the autism spectrum, and learn about how autism might have been treated in the 1930s. Independent exploration of the resources followed by private reader response entries in notes or a reading journal might be one fitting strategy.

• This 7-minute video describes the autism spectrum.
• This article explores the life of Donald Grey Triplett who was the first person to be diagnosed with autism.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Consider a time when you and your friends or family had a difficult problem you did not know how to resolve. What conflicting opinions arose as you attempted to solve the problem? Who did you agree with and who did you disagree with? Why is conflict resolution sometimes difficult?

Teaching Suggestion: Moose’s sister, Natalie, is on the autism spectrum. Her family wrestles to understand her differences at a time when there was little information for families. The family disagrees on how Natalie should be treated. Connected discussion topics might include difficult problems, when people disagree on resolutions, and why compromising can be difficult in some situations.