Al Capone's Role in Fighting Austism

Gennifer Choldenko's book Al Capone Does My Shirts has been one of my favourite books that we have read thus far in TE 448. However, I was a little concerned by the role Al Capone plays in the book in relation to the message on Autism the book seems to intend to send. Throughout the entire book we as readers are given multiple perspectives on Natalie and her families experience with Autism. We develop a relationship with Natalie as well as Moose and feel as though we are part of the solution when Natalie begins to show improvement through the increased socialization she receives on the island of Alcatraz. However, despite this obvious improvement, Natalie is still rejected from the Esther P. Marinoff School twice. It is only Al Capone's political and social influence in the city that is able to gain Natalie admittance into the school and therefore help her cope with her Autism. 

This idea to me seemed a little fairy tale like. From the beginning of the book Al Capone is treated almost like a fictional fantasy character. He is mysterious and the children living on the island are extremely interested in him. They want his autograph and share "stories" they heard about him with each other and friends at school. In fact they even sell his laundry services to their fellow classmates. They spend time spying on him and breaking the rules of the island to gain access to him. All in all, Al Capone the famous, mysterious, unaccessible, murdering con seems almost pretend. Why then does Choldenko decide to place him in the position of hero in the novel? To me it almost gives the impression to children that those who are different from us do not have a chance unless they know and appeal to someone with political and social influence as well as fame who is willing to speak for them. Don't get me wrong, I was happy inside when Mouse receives the note from Al inside his shirt sleeve which Al was able to identify as Mouse's that says he will agree to speak on behalf of Natalie. I may have been happy, but I wasn't convinced. For me it was too farfetched and ruined some of the authenticity of Autism as a real disease and as Natalie representing real people who really deal with this disorder and are unable to receive help because they are restricted by language, stereotypes, and labels. 

The real hero of this novel is Mouse and while we can be proud of him for writing to Al, the book credits Capone for Natalie getting into the school. I question Gennifer Choldenko's decision to remove credit from Mouse, a character who she has spent 215 helping us connect to, understand, and build a relationship with to Al Capone who what little we know comes from Scarface and criminal records. While this book was a great piece of fiction with a happy ending I strongly feel that the glorification of Al Capone belittles the main message of the book which is to promote understanding and acceptance of those who are different from us and share that acceptance with others.