Al Capone Does My Shirts

I really enjoyed reading Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko for class this week. It was one of the first times when I remember really being engaged in one of the assigned pieces of literature. I found myself wanting to read it and when I had to put it down I looked forward to when I could pick it up again. While I'm not sure I'll teach fourth grade--I'm looking more into kindergarten or first grade--if I do I definitely think this is a book I'd like to include in my lessons. I think it opens up the possibility for a lot of different conversations with students. The setting allows for a fun and definitely different historical perspective and a fun unit opportunity. It also presents a great opening for discussing Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The fact that Natalie was never diagnosed I think is a good thing--it provides a way to illustrate that not all cases of Autism are the same so that you can discuss how Natalie exhibits some indicators of Autism without suggesting that all people with Autism behave in the same manner. Overall I just enjoyed the pace of the book, the development of the characters, and situations throughout the novel and I look forward to some day including it in my classroom.