Al Capone Does My Homework

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of family responsibility or feeling the pressure to protect someone they love. Set against the high stakes backdrop of 1930s Alcatraz, the story follows Moose Flanagan as he navigates a complex mystery involving a suspicious fire and his father's job security. It is an ideal choice for middle schoolers who are beginning to understand that their parents are fallible humans and that justice isn't always black and white. While the setting is a prison island, the heart of the story is the deeply realistic portrayal of a family caring for a child with autism, then referred to as being different. The book balances a fast-paced mystery with profound themes of loyalty, honesty, and the sacrifices we make for family. It is a sophisticated historical novel that validates the messy, complicated feelings of siblings in neurodiverse households.