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- Moon Over Manifest
Moon Over Manifest
Editor reviews
2 reviews
A Tale of Discovery
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
N/A
Characters
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Writing Style
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
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Sometimes you know why a book is an award winner and sometimes you dont. In the case of Moon Over Manifest (Newbery Award winner), a debut novel by Clare Vanderpool, it is evident from page one that you are reading a wonderful book. The story itself, the characters, the writing all combine into a beautifully woven tale about Abilene Tucker, sent by her father, Gideon, to Manifest, Kansas for the summer of 1936 while he goes off to work on the railroad, a dangerous place for a twelve year old girl.
Hitching train rides with her father since she was tiny, Abilene jumps the train before it rolls into the Manifest depot. According to her, its best to get the lay of the land ahead of time. Gideon had lived in Manifest for a time as a boy and has entrusted Abilene to the care of Shady, the town barkeep (in the time of Prohibition) and (long-term) interim preacher. Shady, knowing Gideon and his traveling habits, meets Abilene as she walks into town, calm as can be.
She, and we, are immediately introduced to Hattie Mae Harper, the towns newspaper reporter and author of the column Hattie Maes News Auxiliary. Abilene begins to get an uneasy feeling about Gideon and his returning to get her from the whispering going on between Shady and Hattie Mae.
The following day is the last day of school for the summer and oddly enough, Shady makes Abilene attendto get to know the local kids. Another omen regarding Gideons return. There she befriends Ruthanne and Lettie who become her best friends.
Crucial to the story is Miss Sadie, a diviner or reader of the earth and its surroundings, who while Abilene tends her garden, tells a tale of Manifest during1917 and 1918, focusing in on two boys, Ned and Jinx and their adventures, travails and dreams. How Ned and Jinx fit into the Manifest of 1936 and the lives of Abilene and Shady is slowly, lovingly unveiled. And, yes, there might have been a tear or two in my eye when I read the last chapter.
If I were to ponder forever, I dont think I could think of a way to improve Moon Over Manifest. One can tell its a labor of love. Every character is just right from Miss Sadie to Abilene and Shady, to the mean Mr. Devlin, owner of the local coal mine. The interspersing of history (Prohibition, World War I, the horrid conditions under which coal miners worked, the Midwest draught) with the lives of the townspeople to the beliefs of the times about such things as elixirs and hair tonic make Moon Over Manifest fascinating.
Ms. Vanderpools wordsmithing couldnt be better. She manages to create suspense, humor, love and heartache in her marvelous story. So take the time to treat yourself. Get carried away in Moon Over Manifest. There are many authors writing books these days. However, there are few storytellers in that grand old tradition and Clare Vanderpool should now be included in their ranks.
Hitching train rides with her father since she was tiny, Abilene jumps the train before it rolls into the Manifest depot. According to her, its best to get the lay of the land ahead of time. Gideon had lived in Manifest for a time as a boy and has entrusted Abilene to the care of Shady, the town barkeep (in the time of Prohibition) and (long-term) interim preacher. Shady, knowing Gideon and his traveling habits, meets Abilene as she walks into town, calm as can be.
She, and we, are immediately introduced to Hattie Mae Harper, the towns newspaper reporter and author of the column Hattie Maes News Auxiliary. Abilene begins to get an uneasy feeling about Gideon and his returning to get her from the whispering going on between Shady and Hattie Mae.
The following day is the last day of school for the summer and oddly enough, Shady makes Abilene attendto get to know the local kids. Another omen regarding Gideons return. There she befriends Ruthanne and Lettie who become her best friends.
Crucial to the story is Miss Sadie, a diviner or reader of the earth and its surroundings, who while Abilene tends her garden, tells a tale of Manifest during1917 and 1918, focusing in on two boys, Ned and Jinx and their adventures, travails and dreams. How Ned and Jinx fit into the Manifest of 1936 and the lives of Abilene and Shady is slowly, lovingly unveiled. And, yes, there might have been a tear or two in my eye when I read the last chapter.
If I were to ponder forever, I dont think I could think of a way to improve Moon Over Manifest. One can tell its a labor of love. Every character is just right from Miss Sadie to Abilene and Shady, to the mean Mr. Devlin, owner of the local coal mine. The interspersing of history (Prohibition, World War I, the horrid conditions under which coal miners worked, the Midwest draught) with the lives of the townspeople to the beliefs of the times about such things as elixirs and hair tonic make Moon Over Manifest fascinating.
Ms. Vanderpools wordsmithing couldnt be better. She manages to create suspense, humor, love and heartache in her marvelous story. So take the time to treat yourself. Get carried away in Moon Over Manifest. There are many authors writing books these days. However, there are few storytellers in that grand old tradition and Clare Vanderpool should now be included in their ranks.
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Moon Over Manifest, the great book
Moon Over Manifest
By: Clare Vanderpool
Have you ever read a book that grabs you from a page and you cannot stop reading? Moon Over Manifest is one of those kinds of books. It is a great book to read, especially for children. In my opinion, there are many suspenseful, funky, and mysterious characters through out the book. The book is mysterious because the main character, Abilene Tucker, and her friends Lettie and Ruthanne, spot a cigar box full of letters and maps talking about a spy, The Rattler, who they are trying to find out who it is by going spy hunting all over Manifest. Everyone does not know what to expect from characters and there qualities. Also, I believe that the story is simple, quiet, and stands out. I think the story has a rich past and bright future. Clare Vanderpool, the author, published this Newberry honor book, last year. She won the award. She made this town Manifest, as in the book, much like the town she lived I as a child, Frontenac, Kansas. Next, this book sold over 4 million copies. I don’t know a child that doesn’t like it. Second of all, the book is interesting because it takes place in the 1930s’. It is interesting because in the 1930s’ schools, newspapers, and business work very different from today. Next, this book really is a true treasure. I personally like it and I think that people should read it because it is well written and is a wonderful book. Moon Over Manifest is a great book. Read it!
By: Clare Vanderpool
Have you ever read a book that grabs you from a page and you cannot stop reading? Moon Over Manifest is one of those kinds of books. It is a great book to read, especially for children. In my opinion, there are many suspenseful, funky, and mysterious characters through out the book. The book is mysterious because the main character, Abilene Tucker, and her friends Lettie and Ruthanne, spot a cigar box full of letters and maps talking about a spy, The Rattler, who they are trying to find out who it is by going spy hunting all over Manifest. Everyone does not know what to expect from characters and there qualities. Also, I believe that the story is simple, quiet, and stands out. I think the story has a rich past and bright future. Clare Vanderpool, the author, published this Newberry honor book, last year. She won the award. She made this town Manifest, as in the book, much like the town she lived I as a child, Frontenac, Kansas. Next, this book sold over 4 million copies. I don’t know a child that doesn’t like it. Second of all, the book is interesting because it takes place in the 1930s’. It is interesting because in the 1930s’ schools, newspapers, and business work very different from today. Next, this book really is a true treasure. I personally like it and I think that people should read it because it is well written and is a wonderful book. Moon Over Manifest is a great book. Read it!
Good Points
The book is filled with suspensful, funky, and mysterious characters through out the book.
DW
Deena Waheed
Top 1000 Reviewer
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