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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Loved this story—a bit of mystery and a lot of heart. Listened to it on audio, which was fun. Abilene Tucker had a similar vibe to Opal in “Because of Winn-Dixie”—another great book!
A beautiful, nearly perfect, work. One that made me think and feel blessed for what I have.
I sobbed quite a bit.
While reading this book I really mourned two things.
One was the loss of a true childhood - the one where kids would adventure out, learn things on their own, explore their world. Most kids rarely leave their house or the comfort of indoors. They don't, because of many factors, visit the postman, the baker, the newspaper office. There is very little sense of community in today's world. Children today certainly do not spend each day of their summer vacation working off debt or picnicking with friends in a tree house. How sad that our future generations cannot write stories of our children with such depth as Clare Vanderpool was able to in [b:Moon over Manifest|8293938|Moon Over Manifest|Clare Vanderpool|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320541883s/8293938.jpg|13142485]. Granted, I wasn't sure that every nuance that Abilene was able to pick up was entirely believable, but enough was that I was totally hooked.
Secondly, I had forgotten, or perhaps in my ignorance and naiveté did not fully comprehend, the trial and pain of being an immigrant during this period of history. In some part of my rational head I would like to think that I understood the difficulties and would not be flippant. Clare Vanderpool painted a beautiful and painful picture of this very thing, and it humbled me greatly.
This one is going on my to-buy list and someday I hope to read it to my boys and that is the highest praise I can doll out.
I sobbed quite a bit.
While reading this book I really mourned two things.
One was the loss of a true childhood - the one where kids would adventure out, learn things on their own, explore their world. Most kids rarely leave their house or the comfort of indoors. They don't, because of many factors, visit the postman, the baker, the newspaper office. There is very little sense of community in today's world. Children today certainly do not spend each day of their summer vacation working off debt or picnicking with friends in a tree house. How sad that our future generations cannot write stories of our children with such depth as Clare Vanderpool was able to in [b:Moon over Manifest|8293938|Moon Over Manifest|Clare Vanderpool|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320541883s/8293938.jpg|13142485]. Granted, I wasn't sure that every nuance that Abilene was able to pick up was entirely believable, but enough was that I was totally hooked.
Secondly, I had forgotten, or perhaps in my ignorance and naiveté did not fully comprehend, the trial and pain of being an immigrant during this period of history. In some part of my rational head I would like to think that I understood the difficulties and would not be flippant. Clare Vanderpool painted a beautiful and painful picture of this very thing, and it humbled me greatly.
This one is going on my to-buy list and someday I hope to read it to my boys and that is the highest praise I can doll out.
A lot of librarians were floored when this took the Newbery Award last week. And a lot of us are still rushing to read it! It is a solid piece of historical fiction, with themes of belonging and redemption woven into a tale that alternates between 1918 and 1936 Manifest, Kansas. And Abilene is certainly an engaging character as she draws stories out of the townspeople in order to make sense of her own life. Distinguished? Certainly. The most distinguished? Not in my opinion... I was never "grabbed" the way I was when reading Countdown or The Dreamer or One Crazy Summer. But an enjoyable read-- and I look forward to learning more about and reading more from a talented new author.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
There's a running theme of glorification of the Great Depression that seems to be common in youth literature. I don't understand it or why these books are the ones that are awarded.
This one took me awhile to get into. Having to start and stop reading at the beginning really held me back. Sitting down to experience this book in one fell swoop is just what I needed, because this book grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. I love the people of Manifest! When it was over, it felt like I'd become a part of the community and I didn't want to say goodbye. What a beautiful, beautiful book.
This 2011 Newbery Award winner was satisfying in every way. Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is sent to Manifest, Kansas at the beginning of the summer of 1936 after a life of riding the rails with her father. She finds some hidden mementos that start her on a "spy hunt" with two new friends. What she ends up discovering about her father and about the town will change her life forever.
Abilene is feeling lonely. Her mama is long gone, her father sent her off to live with an old friend in his hometown for a few months while he works on the railroad. This puts Abilene alone in Manifest, Kansas, a worn-out old town that was suffering even before the Great Depression hit. It looks like it's going to be boring summer...that is, until Abilene discovers a hidden cigar box full of 18-year-old mementos, including some old letters that mention a spy known as the Rattler. These mysterious letters send Abilene and her new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on a real-life spy hunt. In the process, with the help of a so-called diviner named Miss Sadie, Abilene digs into the Manifest's past--which, as she comes to find out, brings her closer to understanding her father's childhood and how it shaped the person he grew up to be.
This book sort of reminds me of "Walk Two Moons," "Savvy," and "A Long Way from Chicago." Those titles cover a variety of settings and situations, but they all have a similar tone and just give me the warm fuzzies. Even when bad things are happening, you feel the love between the characters. I also enjoyed the mysterious aspect and the way that the two stories--what happened in Manifest in 1918, and what's happening in the present--weave together. Abilene is a totally charming little girl, and her curiosity reminded me of myself when I was young (but, admittedly, I think I was more annoying and less charming about it!). There are a few interesting twists at the end, too. In one word: fantastic!
This book sort of reminds me of "Walk Two Moons," "Savvy," and "A Long Way from Chicago." Those titles cover a variety of settings and situations, but they all have a similar tone and just give me the warm fuzzies. Even when bad things are happening, you feel the love between the characters. I also enjoyed the mysterious aspect and the way that the two stories--what happened in Manifest in 1918, and what's happening in the present--weave together. Abilene is a totally charming little girl, and her curiosity reminded me of myself when I was young (but, admittedly, I think I was more annoying and less charming about it!). There are a few interesting twists at the end, too. In one word: fantastic!