Connor-Mr.+Klier

=Week 4: Mr. Klier= Connor, I finished the book. The book ended in a surprise. Moose and his family had a long struggle trying to figure out what to do with Natalie. They tried numerous times to get her into the Marinoff School in San Francisco. She was accepted into the school earlier in the book, but got released because Mr. Purdy didn't think she was "ready". Moose kept trying to get his mother to tell Natalie's real age (16), but she didn't want to. She thought it would lower her chances of getting in to the school. After Natalie was released, Moose became the primary caretaker of his sister. He would take her with him everywhere he went. Many of the other children started to get used to Natalie. They began to understand who she was. Moose was no longer embarrassed of his sister. It was a great learning experience for everyone on the island. Moose's parents tried more and more to get Natalie into the Marinoff School, all with no success. In a desperate attempt, Moose asked the Warden if he could help them get Natalie into the Marinoff School. The Warden politely declined. As a last resort, Moose decided to write a letter to Al Capone asking for his help. About a week went by, and Moose's family got news that Natalie had been accepted into a new branch of the school for older children. Moose thought that his letter to Capone had worked, but was not 100% sure. Then, in the last chapter of the book, Moose finds a note in his shirt that says "DONE". This was a good ending. I think that this simply meant that his laundry was done. However, the book wants us to think that it was a message from Al Capone telling Moose that his favor was done.

I really enjoyed this book. Also, the Reading Rocks program was very enjoyable. Thanks for letting me be a part of this program. See you at school.

Thanks, Mr. Klier = Week 3 Adult: Mr. Klier = Student: Connor Spence Book Title: __Al Capone Does My shirts__ Pages Read__135___

Moose is a good kid. He is five eleven. He loves to play baseball. He is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since Piper and Annie and himself got in trouble by the warden, Moose has been mad. His mom makes him watch Nat all the time now because she got a piano teaching job. Now Piper had a new plan to see Al Capone’s mama. It did not work out how they expected. This shows me he is a clam person. When they got back to Alcatraz the metal detector went off on Al Capone’s mom. She had to get a cavity search and after that she was embarrassed and left. The character reminds me of me a little bit. I have to watch my nephew most of the time and I like to play baseball. I would like to acquire his honesty. He tells the truth a lot and sometimes it is hard to do that. I would like to be friends with Moose. He is a nice, honest and responsible kid.

His sister Natalie is autistic. She is really sensitive. She likes to count and is good and math. She likes to play with buttons. She is with Moose all the time. Some of the kids don’t like her.

I have really enjoyed this book. You never know what is going to happen next. I think that Natalie is autistic. I asked a teacher and she said she thinks she is. I hope that Scout will be friends with Moose again. He seems like a nice kid. I would like to Know to what it would be like to live on Alcatraz. Apparently Moose got bored with it.

Mr. Klier: Week 3

I am really enjoying this book. By now, Moose is in a tough situation. His mom is now teaching piano lessons after school, so he has to "babysit" his older sister. I agree that Natalie is autistic. She reminds me of the autistic character in the movie "RainMan", played by Dustin Hoffman. Natalie always counts things and pays attention to the smallest details. In a way, I feel bad for Moose. However, he is doing the right thing. He always sticks up for his sister, even when it's unpopular.

Piper is an interesting character. It seems as if she likes Moose, but Moose gets very aggravated at her. I think that the two of them will "fall in love" before the book is over. She is a trouble maker, but Moose cannot resist her. He seemed jealous when he thought Scout liked her. I think Moose has learned that Scout is a true friend. Scout agreed to change their baseball game time to Tuesdays instead of Mondays. Then, Moose had to watch Natalie on Mondays. This kind of irritated Scout, but he got over it and they became friends again.

I think it would be very interesting to live on Alcatraz. Knowing that I was trapped on an island with a prison full of criminals would make me a little uneasy. I think that the new has worn off for Moose. He is used to it by now. I guess it gets that way anywhere you live. I am glad to hear you like baseball. Baseball used to be one of my favorite sports to play when I was your age. Do you play summer baseball?

I am looking forward to the end of the book. I want to know what happens to Natalie. Does she go back to the Marinoff School, or does she stay at home and keep improving?