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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This book reminded me why I adored reading as a child. The characters are engaging and 3-dimensional, the plot line is both nostalgic and intriguing, and the writing is refreshingly free of fuss. Loved it.
I don't know what I've done to deserve such amazing books in my life recently, but I'm not complaining. Probably the fact that I take recommendations from the authors whom I love, and who communicate with their fans online and therefore often end up suggesting books for them. Mainly Neil Gaiman, John Green, and Maureen Johnson.
I think it was John Green who said to read it, and jesus christ he was right. Although it had a very different plot and feel, it reminded me of Holes, in the way that it jumped between the story of Abilene, the main character, discovering the town of Manifest in the Great Depression, and the story of Manifest itself, in 1917. The Great Depression and World War I, told beautifully through story and adventure and letters and spying and old newspaper clippings. It came together so well, weaved so well throughout. I loved it. It's the kind of book I want to make every kid in the world read. It fed my inner 10-year-old bookworm. And it's fucking good for grown-up people too.
I think it was John Green who said to read it, and jesus christ he was right. Although it had a very different plot and feel, it reminded me of Holes, in the way that it jumped between the story of Abilene, the main character, discovering the town of Manifest in the Great Depression, and the story of Manifest itself, in 1917. The Great Depression and World War I, told beautifully through story and adventure and letters and spying and old newspaper clippings. It came together so well, weaved so well throughout. I loved it. It's the kind of book I want to make every kid in the world read. It fed my inner 10-year-old bookworm. And it's fucking good for grown-up people too.
2011 Newberry winner, fully deserving of the award.
An excellent tale--or two tales--of Abilene Tucker in 1936 Manifest, Kansas, as she tries to discover her father's place in 1818 Manifest. This story combines mystery, history, and what it means to be family.
An excellent tale--or two tales--of Abilene Tucker in 1936 Manifest, Kansas, as she tries to discover her father's place in 1818 Manifest. This story combines mystery, history, and what it means to be family.
Sweet story of young girl during the Depression who finds a home she didn't know she was looking for. Story has all the good stuff: resilient heroine, her two sidekicks, a diviner, a spy, and redemption to spare. A great read overall.
Compared to the last 2 winners of the Newbery Award and how much I enjoyed them, this one was such a disappointment. It was very well written, but it just didn't do it for me. If I was a kid, I don't think I would have enjoyed it. Even though it's about a young girl, it felt like it was a story more written for adults. The last two winners (The Graveyard Book and When You Reach Me) were filled with the magic that makes kids want to read books. This one just didn't have that magic.
I picked up this Newberry Winner because of its high reviews. It didn't disappoint. While clean enough to listen with young ears around, I was entertained and fully immersed in the tale of a young girl, Abilene Tucker, who was sent off to live in the small Kansas town of Manifest in 1936, where her father lived as a boy.
Abilene pulls up a floor board her first night, as she's trying to find a spot to hide her valuables, only to discover the space was already occupied by someone else's treasure. With the letters written during World War 1 in her hand, she is determined to find information on the owner. This is the beginning her summer long adventure.
For the young age group which this book targets, probably 9 and up, I'm normally bored because of the simple straight forward writing. This story was written as a puzzle. When one piece was added it still wasn't complete until every last piece was in place. And I enjoyed it that way! I'd highly recommend!
Abilene pulls up a floor board her first night, as she's trying to find a spot to hide her valuables, only to discover the space was already occupied by someone else's treasure. With the letters written during World War 1 in her hand, she is determined to find information on the owner. This is the beginning her summer long adventure.
For the young age group which this book targets, probably 9 and up, I'm normally bored because of the simple straight forward writing. This story was written as a puzzle. When one piece was added it still wasn't complete until every last piece was in place. And I enjoyed it that way! I'd highly recommend!
Have you ever watched a Netflix show with engaging characters, good story writing, and beautiful cinematography, but the episodes tend to drag on, so you kind of half watch it in the background and focus more when you realize a good part is on? I have, and I had that feeling reading this book. Abilene Tucker is sent to the town of Manifest to live with her father's friend. While she is certain her father will return for her at the end of the summer, she is drawn into a story regarding the town's past and her father's involvement as the summer unfolds.
There were definitely some twists I did not anticipate, and the conclusion caught my attention and tied together beautifully. The final few chapters bumped this book from the three-star to a four-star for me. Along with Abilene I fell in love with the town of Manifest and the people who call it home, and it was worth the read.
There were definitely some twists I did not anticipate, and the conclusion caught my attention and tied together beautifully. The final few chapters bumped this book from the three-star to a four-star for me. Along with Abilene I fell in love with the town of Manifest and the people who call it home, and it was worth the read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book took me FOREVER to read. I had the hardest time getting into it. I think the main reason was that for me, 1918 part of the story was much stronger than the portion of the story from the 30s. So I just wanted to know what happened to the characters in the earlier timeframe, and did bot care much about the latter. It was all tied together nicely in the end though.
I love flashback stories, and this is one of those great ones with several threads that weave together for a beautiful yarn (pardon the metaphor)