Al Capone shines my shoes
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2009
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- responsibility
- loyalty
- honesty and consequences
- family
- neurodiversity/autism
- growing up
- trust
About this book
Moose Flanagan is back on Alcatraz Island, where his dad works as a guard and some of America’s most infamous criminals—like Al Capone—are locked up. When Moose receives a secret note asking for a favor, he finds himself pulled into tricky situations that test his honesty and loyalty. Life on the Rock means balancing friends, crushes, and keeping his sister Natalie safe, all under the watchful eyes of wardens and prisoners. Fast-paced, funny, and full of historical detail, this sequel appeals to readers who enjoy humor, friendship drama, and real-life settings.
Setting: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Bay, 1930s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Capone shines my shoes right for my child?
Yes — Al Capone shines my shoes is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, responsibility, loyalty.
How long does it take to read Al Capone shines my shoes?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Al Capone shines my shoes takes around 6.4h to finish. The book has 63,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Al Capone shines my shoes have an AR quiz?
Yes — Al Capone shines my shoes has an AR quiz available, worth 8 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Al Capone shines my shoes?
Al Capone shines my shoes has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.