Life on this island isn't quite what you'd imagine

I didn't know what to expect when I saw the title of this book, Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko.  Al Capone the gangster and laundry?? Well, yes.  The year is 1935, and Moose and his family have just moved to Alcatraz Island, where Al Capone is serving time.  Moose's dad took a job there so they could be close to San Francisco and a special school for Moose's sister Natalie, who's autistic.  Moose ends up meeting several other kids who live on the island, including Piper, the warden's cute but very scheming daughter (and the source of the Al Capone and laundry connection).  As Moose gets used to his unusual living arrangements, the story includes interesting facts about Alcatraz, Piper's crazy ideas for making money, and Moose's devotion to his sister.  It may sound like an odd combination of ideas, but it works!  A funny, touching, and fascinating story.