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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Very real, it felt as though the characters were right there. You could feel Abilenes want for Gideon and wanting to find the mark he made on the town. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good book to pass the time with between a thrilling series.
This is a beautifully told story of a young girl, Abilene Tucker, who's trying to learn more about her father, blending the history of 1918 and 1936 in a small town called Manifest, Kansas. I enjoyed how the author allows readers to discover and learn along with Abilene. Vanderpool's brilliant use of similes and symbols paints a vivid picture of the scenery and the emotions experienced by the characters. Although it's technically a children's book, it can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults too. I recommend this book to younger and older readers alike.
Confession: only made it halfway through the audiobook. The story wasn't holding my attention and I didn't think the main narrator was a good fit for the character.
This was a sweet story, but the connectedness felt forced. As an adult reading middle grade fiction I always hesitate to come down too hard when a book lays out story links very simply because then perhaps I am not the right audience. But here, the mysteries were simple and unrealistically laid before Abilene.
Moon Over Manifest is a cute, Depression-era tale about a 12 year-old girl named Abilene who, having been sent to the eponymous city where her dad grew up, begins to piece together the story of her father's childhood from the town's past.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. The overlapping story lines are underdeveloped at times, and some portions are predictable, but the sheer likability of the townsfolk, Abilene's thirst for the truth, and the creative newspaper clippings make the story worthwhile. 3.5 stars, rounding up because, although not as memorable as other Newbery Award winners, it's hard not to finish this with a smile.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. The overlapping story lines are underdeveloped at times, and some portions are predictable, but the sheer likability of the townsfolk, Abilene's thirst for the truth, and the creative newspaper clippings make the story worthwhile. 3.5 stars, rounding up because, although not as memorable as other Newbery Award winners, it's hard not to finish this with a smile.
(4.5) Once the story started rolling, it was difficult to put the book down. I pretty much read the whole thing in one afternoon. It was a great mix of historical fiction, light mystery, and family. Take Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Big Fish, smash them together, and you'll get Moon over Manifest. Deserving of the Newberry Award and your time!
I can certainly see why this was a Newbery Winner. I don't think there is much more that I can add to what other reviewers have said but I do want to note that I am impressed with Vanderpool's ability to create such a marvelous character in Abilene. I loved her almost as much as two of my all-time favorites, Flavia de Luce and Scout Finch. Why is it that only the very young and the very old are allowed that certain brand of simplistic wisdom? It makes me feel a little left out... however, I don't feel particularly wise at the moment anyway. Perhaps there is hope for the future when I am less sleep deprived and less likely to have sung "Wheels on the Bus" for the umpteenth time which I'm pretty sure kills brain cells.
I was the same age of Abilene when I lived in the town this book is based off of, so I can say I'm a bit prejudiced in enjoying this book. Manifest doesn't exactly reflect the town I knew my best friend from there says her mom knew two of the real characters from the book. This book is a bit of a mystery and learning about your past and how it is connected to a community. I did have to laugh at the water - in real life that water is so sulfuric that people would not stop for the healing property or to enjoy its iced cold goodness.
This is not a book I'd usually pick up, but it won the Newbery so I gave it a whirl. I was totally absorbed in Ned and Jinx's story, and found it a beautifully written book. I don't know that kids would enjoy it as much as I did, but my 9-year-old asked to read it, so we'll see. Will report on that later!