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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
A good read. It took a little while to get into but after a while, I couldn't put it down. It had a rich setting, with rich characters. Highly recommend.
A solid book, easy and fun to read. The story relates events in two years in a small town in Kansas, 1918 and 1936. Clare Vanderpool writes convincingly about both eras, but with a light enough touch that younger readers who are unfamiliar with the early 20th century can read with ease. But I don't know, something about this book left me cold. I think it's because the story is split into two eras, and the most interesting things happen in 1918. There isn't enough happening in the main story. There's also a huge cast of characters (an entire town) and it's hard to keep track of who is who, espeically in audio format where you can't flip back to check.
The audiobook was read by Jenna Lamia, with cameos by Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborne. Lamia does an excellent job as 12-year-old Abilene in 1936. I thought the choice to have her read the 1918 section was curious, but she does a good job with that too. She is always a pleasure to listen to. Campbell and Heyborne have fun with their little bits, and Campbell in particular does a great job of capturing her loosey goosey reporter character.
The audiobook was read by Jenna Lamia, with cameos by Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborne. Lamia does an excellent job as 12-year-old Abilene in 1936. I thought the choice to have her read the 1918 section was curious, but she does a good job with that too. She is always a pleasure to listen to. Campbell and Heyborne have fun with their little bits, and Campbell in particular does a great job of capturing her loosey goosey reporter character.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A truly relevant children's book about depression-era Kansas and the life of immigrant children. Abilene finds herself sent away by her father to his home town where no one wants to tell her about his life there as a boy. After she finds letters from Ned to Jinx and begins to learn about their story and the story of Manifest's history, she sets out on a spy hunt and a search for the truth.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Abilene Tucker's story offers a reflection on the power and value of the stories we tell each other and ourselves. Until I recognized that, I wasn't sure I liked the book. But I did, and I do. The prose is clear and all the different stories are compelling. I disagree with it being in the children's section of the library, but think its Newberry is richly deserved.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
originally I was just gonna say it's a 4 star kind of book bc of the well written writing style, plot, and characters. However, my adoration over the ending made me feel like it deserves that 0.5. The only reason why it's not 5 stars is bc of personal preferences. The genre isn't my cup of tea (which are mainly lesbian books), but I wanted to read one of my old childhood books again for fun and I am glad I did !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Murder, War
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol