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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Moon Over Manifest is a story I think I would have enjoyed more as a child; I could feel my younger self identifying with the tomboyish protagonist, the people of the town as they're described in the story, and the history, as it related to what I was learning in Social Studies. As an adult, I can see some weaknesses in the story, which when combined make it feel a bit contrived, but yes: me as a kid would have read the heck out of this.
The book cleverly combines 1936 Depression-era Kansas with flashbacks to 1918, introducing World War I (a topic I never learned much about in Social Studies, which usually ended with the Civil War and then the entire 20th century crammed into a week or so), and the influenza pandemic during that time period (also barely touched on in class). While some characters cross over, others don't, which adds a layer of mystery to the other puzzles in the book and packs a bit of a hard punch when you find out what happened.
It ends with a nice little chapter with some background information on the location and other aspects of the story, which I liked a lot. I was often intrigued by offhand remarks in stories as a kid, but rarely did any further research.
A few things felt strange; the central spy mystery of the novel wasn't really well-done and actually ended up being a little confusing in parts, the 1918 "ending" is very pat, and the connections between 1918 Manifest and 1936 Manifest are sometimes pretty frail. The book is a little laggy in the middle, and the "storytelling" aspect is pretty much lost, because the voice the stories are told in doesn't really carry through.
However, overall, I enjoyed this. It's certainly better than a dry Social Studies textbook.
The book cleverly combines 1936 Depression-era Kansas with flashbacks to 1918, introducing World War I (a topic I never learned much about in Social Studies, which usually ended with the Civil War and then the entire 20th century crammed into a week or so), and the influenza pandemic during that time period (also barely touched on in class). While some characters cross over, others don't, which adds a layer of mystery to the other puzzles in the book and packs a bit of a hard punch when you find out what happened.
It ends with a nice little chapter with some background information on the location and other aspects of the story, which I liked a lot. I was often intrigued by offhand remarks in stories as a kid, but rarely did any further research.
A few things felt strange; the central spy mystery of the novel wasn't really well-done and actually ended up being a little confusing in parts, the 1918 "ending" is very pat, and the connections between 1918 Manifest and 1936 Manifest are sometimes pretty frail. The book is a little laggy in the middle, and the "storytelling" aspect is pretty much lost, because the voice the stories are told in doesn't really carry through.
However, overall, I enjoyed this. It's certainly better than a dry Social Studies textbook.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, War
Minor: Bullying, Stalking, Murder
This book eventually grew on me as the beginning didn’t pull me in as fast as other Newbery winners. But those last 100 pages were gripping! I enjoyed the historical fiction, the development of the main characters, and the revealing of the multi-layered mysteries and secrets. I’d recommend it to anyone ten and older.
I was somewhat enjoying this book until it got into fortune telling and divining. Then I gave up on it. I want to find books good for my 10 year old to read. This is not one of them.
What's not to love about a book that uses words like addlepated and shenanigans? This book takes the reader to a time and place long forgotten. It is a story within a story. I cried at the (almost) ending and was very comforted by the ending. Manifest does belong on a map. I can hardly wait to share this with someone else.
Wonderful story, wonderful characters, and two wonderfully historic settings. Loved the back-and-forth between eras and stories, as well as the interspersed letters and newspaper articles. Can't wait to read more from Clare Vanderpool.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Nice sweet story about a young girl during the Depression who is searching for answers and her way in life. It's kind of a throwback in terms of pace and action, innocent on the surface. However, the themes are quite complex.
I think this will continue to find a very smaller audience in its intended target age, but might have some applications with language arts studies in school. Certainly adults will like it. Unfortunately, another Newbery winner that will not enjoy fabulous circulation.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the readers did a credible job. I do not, however, really gravitate toward the method of changing one's voice to match the characters.
I think this will continue to find a very smaller audience in its intended target age, but might have some applications with language arts studies in school. Certainly adults will like it. Unfortunately, another Newbery winner that will not enjoy fabulous circulation.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the readers did a credible job. I do not, however, really gravitate toward the method of changing one's voice to match the characters.
Two stories that intertwine can sometimes be confusing, but these two stories combine pretty well. The "present day" is 1936, and Abilene is left in a Kansas town with a bootlegging substitute preacher while her father works on the railroad. Abilene meets the local mystical woman who tells stories about the town in 1918. Abilene hopes to learn more about her father through these stories, but it's not until the end that she understands the whole picture.
The novel started out slow and it took me a while to really get rolling, but this is a good tale about history, family, and community. There's some mystery, some trickery and lots of secrets to be uncovered.
The novel started out slow and it took me a while to really get rolling, but this is a good tale about history, family, and community. There's some mystery, some trickery and lots of secrets to be uncovered.