Welcome, students, to our book blog. In this space, we will be sharing our comments, opinions, and questions about the book Al Capone Does My Shirts. A few things to keep in mind:
1) Be sure to use appropriate conventions (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.). You are writing for a wider audience than just friends.
2) Be polite in your discussion; if you disagree with someone, disagree politely, and back up your views.
3) Be thorough. In order to explore the book and to get good discussions going, you'll need to write more than a line or two. "Dig" into the book, analyze characters, share opinions, ask good open-ended questions, and get your audience thinking.
4) Check the blog often to read and respond to new posts.
5) Have fun!
Looking forward to the experience!
Middle school students from Mitchell and Baltic share their views of Gennifer Choldenko's historical fiction book.
To start off, I think Natalie is mentally challenged. My mom works with people that work with people who have disabilities and I think she has a disability. Moose is being very strong about his sister. He is standing up for her all the time and helping her out. Teresa is a bossy little girl. She was telling Moose and Natalie to get up and leave right away… which is very bossy!
ReplyDeleteI really like the character Teresa. At this point in the book everyone seems sad and gloomy, and Teresa brightens things up with her fun, bubbly personality. Although she appears to get on Moose’s nerves, she is a really great friend to him and Natalie.
ReplyDeleteThe next person I want to talk about it Piper. I don’t like Piper much. I don’t think any of the other characters in the book do either. She isn’t very friendly, and she acts like she knows everything. It really bothered me when she started asking Moose what was wrong with Natalie. It was rude of Piper to just assume Natalie was stupid.
Moose seems like a pretty nice guy. He is unhappy with where he is, but he deals with it. I like how he is always sticks up for Natalie. He helps her so much, and tries to make her happy.
One question I have is if Natalie will like her new school, or if she will not like it and end up coming home? I also wonder if Moose is going to get along without Natalie.
1. I didn’t like that piper was being a jerk to Natalie and Natalie wasn’t doing anything about it. I would’ve crawled all over piper and spazzed out all over her and went crazy and mad. If I was moose I would tell off piper and stomped away really mad and the next day talk it out with her and if she didn’t say sorry I wouldn’t talk to her, but Natalie is in a different situation. I also think that Natalie should stay at the same place as moose so moose can guard her from people like piper that are bullies about her problem don’t make fun of her as much as they would if he want there.
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about Piper and how she acts and her personality. Piper has some serious control issues, meaning she has to be in control 100% of the time. Moose really screwed her up my not answering her right away when she asked what was wrong with Natalie. She acts like she is better than everyone else, but she isn’t. Her dad just has a higher position at Alcatraz than anyone else. I think that Piper has some self-esteem/ anxiety issues which is why she has to be in control and feel important. Moose is a whole different ball game. He is more comfortable with himself and is more worried about Natalie than himself in their new situation. He is really funny with his actions, thoughts, and dialogue that he is more a clown than anything really. Sleeping with a baseball bat is odd but totally understandable; I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at all. Moose has a strange nickname, but is really helps me to get a mental picture of him. These two main characters are totally different, but I believe that they will both play large parts in the storyline.
ReplyDeleteI think that Natalie should not go to the “school”. It would mess up their family and she probably would go crazy and not listen to anyone. And also why is she going to be going there in the first place? She has disabilities but it’s sort of an up-down thing because she is a genius in math and the notices almost everything and knows, from what it seems, a lot of everything. I think it is autism, what she has but that’s my opinion. Also I think piper is a brat. She fakes being nice around her parents like most kids do.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that piper likes moose? Well, I sort of think she likes moose. I also think she is going to tell her dad that moose volunteered to do her home work and he is going to be forced to do her homework. Also maybe she really like moose and might make it so they spend a lot of time together and maybe he will like her back what do you think?
ReplyDeleteI fell that moose might break out on piper and will get into a fight. Then he will get yelled at by a guard and would get in serious trouble with his mom and his dad. So my? Is what do u thinks will happen next? So then natile might forget about everyone and every one might think she was cursed because she is always in her own world. And did she bleed or was it jelly?
ReplyDeleteI fell that moose is right that they shouldn't have sent Natalie to that school because she will never see her family and that will just make her more upset than she already is. what do you think about this?
ReplyDeleteHi. One of my open ended questions was who your favorite character in the book is so far? Did you know that Ale Capone was a very big mafia guy in the 1930’s? What is your perspective of the book so far? What do you think is wrong with Natalie? Do you know why Ale Capone was sent to Alcatraz?
ReplyDeleteAustin my favorite character in the book so far is Moose. Yah I knew that Al Capone was in the mafia. I think the book is pretty awesome so far. I think Natalie has autism. I think he Killed people on Vallentines day.
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ReplyDeleteShylah i think that you have a good piont, but I kinda don't cause she needs to try new thing sometimes especially when she has the problems that she does. What do you think that she has wrong with her? I think that she has autism Because she is very smart and she with her buttons and all that stuff. So what do yoy think that is?
ReplyDeleteDear Haley,
ReplyDeleteI don't like Piper either. I think she was really rude because she said that Natile was stupid and she isnt. I think that Natile will come home because remember her mom forgot to pack her blanket. I thought that Teresa was really rude unlike you because she was like telling Moose and Natile to come now! That was really mean! What did you think about the Warden? I thought he was rude because he was like scaring Moose and you aren't supposed to do that. How would you feel if you live by the jail? I would never come outside ever cause I would think that the criminals would come and get me! That is all for today! Blog with you later! Bye Haley!
From,
Maddy
Hey Haley,I agree with you. I think that Natalie won't like school at first but she will eventually like it. I like Teresa. She has a bossy side to her but, she will grow out of it.
ReplyDeleteMoose is a great big brother. He treats Natalie like she is a princess. If i were him i would not like living next to a bunch of crimanals. It would be so scary. I hate driving by the jail as it is.
The next person is Piper. I don't like Piper. She thinks she rules everybody. She is not nice at all. She is really mean to Natalie even though she doesn't even know what is wrong with her. I think she has autism. What do you think she has? There are a lot of possibilities.
Do you think that Moose will be able to get along in school? Do you think Natalie will be okay without Moose protecting her?
Brooke
Tim, I think you are right and that they should not let her go to that school. She is very smart with indexes and bottons. they should not let anyone let her bully her. I also think that Piper is really mean to Nat and she deserved to be know by her true personallity.
ReplyDeleteHey Haley, I agree with you. I like Teresa too. All the kids are mostly sad, but there parents are trying to make the best of it. I think that Moose and Teresa will sometime become friends.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you about Piper. It was not her fault that she didn't know that Natalie is mentally challenged. Just because she's a little fisty doesn't mean she mean. I think she is just sticking up for herself. She might just think that if she doesn't that people will take advantage of her.
Moose does seem like a good guy. If I got to pick my brother I would pick him rather that Tom, my older brother. I like how he makes mistakes on purpose just so Natalie can have fun correcting them. I am not sure if she would like her new school. I think Moose is going to get frustrated that Natalie is taking all there parents attention, and he might be glad that she is leaving. When she is accually gone I think he will miss her and do whatever he can to get her back. I have a couple of guestions. Do you know what Natalie has. Like why she is mentally challenged. It relly bugs me. I need to find out.
Molly
Hey Austin, my favorite character is Natilie. I think that she has special things about her. That she is very good with numbers. He would kill people on Valentines Day.
ReplyDeleteI think that Teresa is on of the bossy in the book. Like when she just went into Moose and Nalilie's apartment. And she started to boss Natilie around.
Piper I think she is "nice" because Moose accually got to meet the warden's daughter. It would be cool to meet the warden's daughter. But if she is very bossy it wouldn't be as fun to meet her.
What do think about the book so far? Who is your favorite character? What do think of Moose? What do think of Teresa?
To Austin my name is Austin, too. I like Natalie. I think she is so cool and intresting. I am so suprised she knows what number of buttons in her button box, and she knows what button is behined Moose's back. It is very intresting to me. Ha, I know that Al Copone was enopurmous mafia gun man in the 1930's, but did you know that he striced on Valintines day? He killed millons of people.I love this book. It is one of the best book I have ever read and listened to. I think Natalie is mentaly challenged. Yes I do know why Al Copone was sent to Alcatraz. He killed many of people on Valentines day.I hope I never get sent to Alcatraz. I'm never going to be bad. Do you want to go to Alcatraz? Why do or don't you want to go to Alcatraz?
ReplyDeleteHey Tim. I think that too. She should be going to a normal school. That way she can learn how to be a normal kid. I'm not saying she isn't a normal kid. I am just saying that she has to feel what it feels like to be a normal kid... Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI want to know what Natalie has. Does she have Dislexia? Down Syndrome?
I love how Moose stands up for Natalie. He is so nice to her and sticks up for her when she gets insulted.
Teresa is sooooooo bossy and short. There is someone I know thats really bossy and short, too. I'd rather not say names.
Piper is just as bad as Teresa. She needs to learn that when someone has a disability you treat them just the same as you would your friends.
That's all for now!!
Hey Haley, I do agree with you. I do think that Piper was being rude that she kept on asking if something is wrong with Natalie. There is no difference between us and people born with a birht deffect. Natalie is really smart with numbers. Moose is being really nice to his sister on making mistakes. She like catching his mistakes. But the other thing I do not like about Piper is she acts all perfect around her dad like she is an angel sent from heaven. She is not being her real self, even around her dad.
ReplyDeleteI do think this book is really good, but there are parts of it that I don't like. Like i don't like how mommse's little sister. I don't think they have to do that. I mean it is unnecssary how she has to be that way. I know some of you think she is not that way, but I do. And so if you disagree just commet. Also think that living by murrders would be terrible. I would be scared all the time. I know that they would never get out but still just thinking of that. And after they have been in jail for a long time by the time they got out of jail they would be pretty mad. What do you think it would be like if you were living by murreders? Well that is all for now.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Jessica
Hi Tyler,I think Natalie isn't mentally challaged. She's really good in math and other things it is just hard for he to show it. She just have a thing for buttons. But I do agree that Moose is very strong about his sister, and I do think Teresa is bossy.I have one question for you, Do think Natalie will have troble without her blanket?
ReplyDeletekristina agree with you piper is really rude moose should say something to her. She needs to back off and she needs to watch what she says, but yeah i know a girl who is like her she is really bossy and mean. anyway how do you like the book so far? i think its great it's one of the best books i've read and i don't read very often.
ReplyDeleteAustine my favorite charecter is probably Al Capone. No I didn't know that. I really don't think that there is much wrong with, except that shejust like buttones. I do not Know why he got sent to alcatraz. what do you like ablout the book so far, oh ya my first name is Mike or Michael. what ever you want to call me by. that's all for now.
ReplyDeleteSorry I forgot to add these questions.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if you would be scared to live by convicts. Why or why not?
Why did they take Natalies blanket? I missed thatpart because I was sick. :(
That's the last thing I want to say.
Tim I agree with you thet Piper is a brat. Somebody I know is like her tha person bosses everyone around like she is the king. Then whenever a teach is around this person acts all nice like they didn't do anything wrong. My favorite character has to be moose. If I was in his shoes I would have blown up by now. Like when Piper called Natalie dumb, or when his parents sent his sister away. Well what do you think of the book? How would you like to be in Natalie's position? Would you want to live in Alcatraz?
ReplyDeleteHey Austin,
ReplyDeleteI think that my favorite character is moose because he is not afraid to stand up for his friends and family. I knew that Al Capone was in the mafia.I think that the book is pretty good so far. I like the part when Moose stands up for Natalie when Piper is calling Natalie stupid.What is your favorite part of the book so far? What do you think is going to happen next?
From,
Haley :-)
To Tyler: I don't think you should treat Natalie like that. I think she has a full potential. she can do anything any one else can do, but somtimes she gets a little lost on there. Plus, she loves buttons, which I think is really cool because buttons are so useful.
ReplyDeleteI think Piper is a kissup. She acts as an one hundred percent jerk to Moose and especially to Natalie.And then she goes home to daddy, AKA the warden, and is sweeter than a marshmallow dipped in sugar. It's that that makes me hate people like her.
Hi shylah I agree with you. i think that Natalie should stay with the family. I dont think people should call Natalie retarded because she isn't, she is smarter than a normal person. Thats all for now see you later.
ReplyDeleteDear Haley, I agree with you about how Teresa brightens everyone up after they've been sad. I think Moose and Teresa are going to become good friends farther in the book. Now, I think Piper is rude to Moose. I personaly think Piper needs to stop being rude to him. Do you like the book so far? I do. I like it because it is so interesting. Do you think Natalie has any symptoms? I don't think she does. The reason is because she is so smart at math and she is good at doing buttons.
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry I forgot a guestion. I think it was really nice of Terreca to show around Moose and Natelie. If I were her I wouldn't of showed them the mourn first. What part of a jail would you show to Moose and Natelie if you were in Terresa's spot
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ReplyDeleteHey Haley, I don't really like Teresa she is really bossy. I don't really like Pipper either she is mean because she just shut the door on Moose.
ReplyDeleteHey austin
ReplyDeleteI like the book so far. My most favorite character is Moose because he likes baseball just like me.Yah, AL Compone killed a bunch of people In the 1930's.That would be scary I think.I think she has Otism. Just because she might act wierd but she is really smart and good with numbers.
Hey Haley, I don't really like the character Teresa because she is so interuptive to me. She just walks in and gets on Moose's nerves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Piper. I would spaz out too if she called me stupid! I would be all like HISSSSand RAWWRR and all that stuff(he he). Anyways, I think that Piper shouldn't assume that Natalie was stupid just by a look.
I actually like Natalie so far. she is very smart, which surprised me. I think she has Autism.
Moose I like. He seems very nice to me. I like that he protecs Nataslie.
hey tyler I think she is dumb too. I also think moose is a weird name. over all I think its a good book. I would hate to be on that island with all those criminals. I wold just stay in the house al day. i do not like teresa and you are right she is bossy.
ReplyDeleteI think that Natalie has problems.But i dont think its verynice that they wont let her stay at that one place. Its sad. do you think its sad? =]
ReplyDeleteTyler!!
Dear Tyler,
ReplyDeleteI think Natalie is mentaly challenged too. I think through out the book she will get better. I think that she is going to be able to go to Ester P. Maronoff eventualy. Then she might be able to play ball with moose, or even hang out with the other girls on the island.
I wounder wach Nattle has? How about you.
ReplyDeleteto H_WIRKUS: i think that teresa is a good kid just being herself. shes not grown up yet and thats how little kids are when they are that age
ReplyDeleteAt this point in the book I am really starting to get irritated by Moose’s mom. I realize that she is very upset about things not working out for Natalie, but she really needs to shape up and control her anger. She can’t just quit her regular everyday life every time something doesn’t work out the way they planned. Do you think she is overreacting? I think she should learn to handle things better. As for Moose’s dad, I think he needs to take some time off from work. He is not getting enough sleep, and he is becoming weaker by the second.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion on Piper is beginning to change too. Although Moose thinks she is mean and bossy, you can tell he likes her when he tries to show off whenever she is around. I think Moose is going to end up doing the Laundry service with her. What do you think?
Mosses mom is going to maybe try to fire Mr. Pretty. They might end up getting into a fight. When moose’s mom was happy when she got home moose was stuttering and trying to say the things about how he is going to tell her that they don’t want Natalie there cause she had tantrum in the morin at 5:15 am. I think that his mom might go talk to the other lady about Natalie. And why didn’t hellion moose’s mom let his dad go with her. What do u think will happen next to nattily or her mom. Do u think that they will end up being poor for the bill that his dad had to pay?
ReplyDeleteto caleb colt- i think that tyler wasnt trying to say that she was dumb what he was trying to say was he thinks that she has some autism.
ReplyDeleteI think That Natt Is a Smart Girl With Promblems Like A bit Of Down Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteI think that Moose's Mom is a Bit Obsessive.
His Father Lets Things Hapen as they are.
Well mhanson, You do have a very good point she does need to try new things and be with people that understand her more unlike the people at the island. But i think she needs to be with her family right now because she has just moved there, and it isn't right that she is being sent to that school and they havent even be there that long. I also think she has autism. Because she is smart but she doesnt speek right and usally autism people are smartbut they just can not speek right.
ReplyDeleteto amanda herwig: that is not at all whaat tryler is trying to say. he just thinks that she has ADHD or Ausburgers syndorome. she is not dumb because if she was dumb she wouldnt be able to answer all of those math problems or memorize every single button she has. have a good day :p
ReplyDeleteSclark, Ale Capone really went to Alkatraz for tax evasion. But he still did kill people on valentines day.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Natalie is mentally disabled because generally that means they aren't as smart as everyone else. I think Natalie is the opposite. She is smarter than everyone else. She can do math is her head and she knows and entire index without even reading it.
ReplyDeleteto amanda herwig: TRISTON IS RIGHT! TYLER DID NOT SAY THAT!
ReplyDeletei think what tristan said. she is not retarted if she can memorise her buttons and memorise all her math but she is not retarted. SO HAVE A GOOD DAY :)
ReplyDeleteWhat do u think will happen because the warden said to moose not to talk about al capone and while they were in class piper said that moose knew more about al capone and he was talking about it when he wasnt supose to. So i think that his family will get in trouble or get kicked out of there house. Wat do u thin will happen to moose when piper tells her dad that moose was talking to al capone? Is moose going to keep doing the project with piper or is he going to tell the warden?
ReplyDeleteI think the warden try to blame it all on moose and Anne and jimmy, because he doesn’t think his daughter would do that, so i think that moose’s dad will go and talk with the warden about pipers project, but did u know that the letter said, to the wardens daughter piper but he didn’t say anything about piper when the letter was about piper, it was mainly about why dell had come without a shirt cause piper had gave it to the all and famous Al Capone to wash it for 25 cents and the warden had got mad at moose and Anne for breaking the law…….
ReplyDeleteWell i think that piper wil find a way to blame this all on Moose. Because first of all she has her dad wrapped around her little finger, and second he thought it was Moose's fault in the first place when all the clue's pointed to Piper and he didnt even realize it.
ReplyDeletei think it was kinda mean that Piper blamed the laundry skeem all on the other kids and mostly on Moose. i think she had that all planed out. So she can still make some money and still get the other kids in truble. i agree with shd ylah Piper has her dad raped around her little finger.
ReplyDeleteOkay so I've been gone when we did blogging in class I didnt know what to do until now.
ReplyDeleteTyler I don't believe Natilie is. I grew up around some kids that aren't that smart. I can tell you she's not near as bad as them
What do you think is going to happen next?
So do u think that Nat Is going to get in the Ester P Marinoff????? I don’t think she is going to get in because she will grow up and then she will not have to go in there. I think she will stop having big fits and then she will talk like a 17 year old
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