“Al Capone shines my shoes” by Gennifer Choldenko 

The main character of the story lives on Alcatraz, the jailhouse island that houses famous criminals such as machine gun Kelly, one arm willy and of course the deadly mobster Al Capone. On Alcatraz there is a very distinct, rich and different culture. One example of their unique culture is that they call the isle in the middle of the prison cells “Broadway” and the metal detector in front of the entrance to the island “the snitch box”. This has a very major impact on the main character “Moose” and all of the other aspects of this rich and exciting story. After all Moose wouldn't have Al Capone out to kill him if he didn't live on Alcatraz.

This wouldn't have happened if Moose hadn't asked for Capone’s help to get his sister into a special school via his shirt pocket that he sent into the islands convict laundry mat. Now Capone wants his part of the deal. Because of the story’s unique setting Moose has fallen into this deep problem.

Another example of how the setting affects the story is that there is a tension between one of his friends on the island and another that lives on the mainland. They are very different and in some ways and end up fighting for Moose’s attention. If there lived near each other and not a ferry ride away thy come to like each other. Or at least live with each other. Also, since this boy has lived on Alcatraz his whole life he does not play baseball. The boy from the mainland does. Again the Alcatraz culture has created yet another conundrum.