Al Capone Does My Homework In 2004, author Gennifer Choldenko published a historical novel for kids titled Al Capone Does My Shirts. Kids and critics alike loved her story of a boy who lives with his family on Alcatraz Island in the 1930's because his father is a guard there, and the book won a 2005 Newbery Honor. Choldenko followed up with Al Capone Shines My Shoes a few years later. Now, Choldenko is just about to publish the final book in the trilogy, Al Capone Does My Homework. Check out what Choldenko has to say about the books and her life as a writer: Children's Corner: Al Capone series author will always be captivated by Alcatraz - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette