Middle School
Worksheets
Al Capone
Al Capone
Reading Comprehension for January 17
When you think of gangsters during the 1920s and 30s, what is the first name to come to mind? Most people would immediately say Al Capone.
Capone's parents were first-generation immigrants, originally from the Naples area of Italy. The family came to New York in 1894. The Capones' fourth son, Alphonse, was born an American citizen there January 17, 1899.
Al Capone grew up in an average, loving Italian family. Unlike many immigrants, Al's father Gabriele Capone was not only literate, he was also a skilled laborer. There were no links to organized crime. In fact, the family lived in a Brooklyn apartment over the family barbershop. Here young Al was exposed not only to other Italian families, but also Irish, Swedish, German, and Chinese immigrants.
Capone only attended school until the age of fourteen. The sub-standard public education offered to immigrant children was often violent. The young teachers used physical threats to keep students in line. When he got into a physical fight with one of his teachers, he was expelled. A short time later, the family moved to a new neighborhood.
In this new neighborhood were the people who would have the biggest effect on Al's future. The first was Johnny Torrio, who would help lead him into a life of crime. The second was Mae Coughlin, who would become his wife.
