Who Is Al Capone?

• He was an American gangster during the 1920s

• He became wealthy making and selling illegal alcohol during the Prohibition. They referred to this as bootlegging.

• He used threats, violence and bribery to get people his way. During a fight, he received a razor cut on his cheek, leading to his nickname "Scarface.”

AL Capone Fame

• Capone was a cold-blooded criminal, inhumanly killing hundreds of people.

• He bribed mayors, governors, and other elected officials to cover his illegal operations.

• He used force and violence to influence elections, voting in people he could bribe or successfully threaten.

• His wealth and violent, ruthless ways made him infamous throughout the entire country.

Al Capone Arrested

• Although everyone knew of his crimes, there was usually insufficient evidence to convict him.

• He was finally arrested due to tax evasion.

• As one of the most malicious criminals of his time, he was sent to Alcatraz Prison even though his official crime was tax evasion.

Alcatraz Prison: The Rock

• Alcatraz is a 12-acre rock island with more cement than grass and is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay in California.

• The most violent criminals were sent to Alcatraz because it was thought to be escape proof.

The Rock

AREA MAPS

Prisoner Life on Alcatraz

• Prisoners were given daily jobs like doing the laundry.

Guard Life on Alcatraz

• Prison Guards were required to live on Alcatraz with their families.

• Children would take a ferry to school in San Francisco.

Building 64: Family Housing

Alcatraz Prison Closes

• Alcatraz Prison closed in 1963.

• Maintaining the prison was too expensive.

• Click the T.V. to watch the news broadcast.

(Or find the link on my reading website.)

Alcatraz Prison Closes

Alcatraz Today

Today, Alcatraz is a park and museum. Research on your own to learn more about Alcatraz and the city of San Francisco.

Al Capone’s Wisconsin Connection

“Al Capone, America's most notorious gangster, built a gangland hideout in Wisconsin's North woods near Couderay in the mid-1920s. Today, 40-minute tours of this estate take viewers through Capone's living quarters in the impressive main lodge and around the ground's 9 additional buildings including the gun tower, bunkhouse and jail cell, a single-person cell which is surrounded by a small exercise yard. The estate's 18-inch thick walls were built to withstand potential firepower from rival gangs as well as the Feds.” -The Hideout brochure

Setting…..

Our Story takes place on Alcatraz

during Al Capone’s Incarceration in

1935

Here are some brief descriptions

of some of the main characters in

our story:

Characters…

Characters…

Natalie:Natalie is 15, loves to count, play with buttons, and read the index of books.

She also was autistic, which plays a significant role in our story. Autism was not a known diagnosis in the 1930s. The condition was a heartbreaking mystery for many, as there was no known treatment.

Autism Links: 1 2

Characters…

Moose:

Moose is an average 12 years old boy. His name is actually Matthew Flanagan, but everyone calls him Moose. His nickname came from his older sister Natalie.

Characters…

Piper:

Piper is a 12 year old girl living on the island. She is the warden’s daughter, and often takes risks for fun, causing problems for the others. Her father believes she would never break any rules.

Plot…

Problems: The Flanagan’s are trying to find help for Natalie. Mr. Flanagan takes jobs as a prison guard and an electrician, to be closer to a new school, so the family must live on Alcatraz Island. Moose finds it hard to help his family and make friends.

Goal: What do you think the main goals might be?

Plot…

Piper provides an interesting side problem for the children in our story when she decides create an Alcatraz laundry service for schoolmates to make money.

Plot: Piper’s poster…

Get your clothes laundered by Al Caponeand other world-famous public enemies!

All Clothes cleaned on Alcatrazat the only laundry facility in the world

run by convicted felons including the notoriousScarface Al and Machine Gun Kelly!

Only costs 5 cents.~Al Capone Does My Shirts page 75

Themes…

•Friendship•Tolerance and disabilities•Family loyalty•Honesty and integrity

Decide what you think after reading this novel.

Some questions to consider

before, during, and after reading…

● Will the children’s laundry service be a success, or trouble for them?

● Will any of the children meet a criminal?● Will Natalie’s mother be successful in her

search for help for Natalie?

ENJOY THE STORY!