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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This Newbery Medal winner is a beautiful book set in small-town America during the Great Depression, with flashbacks to the time of World War I. It is a fabulous read, well deserving (in my opinion) of the most prestigious award in children's literature. My only question is if it would appeal as much to children. . . Definitely more for older children and even teens (not because of mature themes, but because of the depth of the story).
Written in clear and vivid prose, this book is a must-read for any middle-schooler and child-at-heart. Set during 1936, with flashbacks to 1918, this story covers both the impact of World War 1 and the Great Depression on the people of the little town of Manifest. Told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Abilene, who is in search of her fathers past, the story of Manifest and its many residents comes to life both for her and the people who have forgotten their secret history. This is a story of fathers and daughters, of immigrants, the price of division and war and the will to join together to raise up yourself and your neighbors.
I'm not good at reading Children's Books. I'm always like "where's the 'action'?" ;) But I can see why this book won the Newberry. It's a beautifully written story, with a finely woven plot, and endearing characters. But what do the kids think? I'd be interested in hearing any feeback from kids that read it. What age group is checking this book out?
Abilene has grown up jumping and riding trains with her dad, Gideon. When she turns 12, however, he decides that it is no life for a young lady and sends her to Manifest, Kansas where he spent a lot of time as a young man. While there, Abilene makes two friends and together they determine that they are going to solve a mystery dating back to 1918. The book then jumps back and forth between WW1 and 1936, the great depression.
Lots of interesting characters; I also liked that the plot is NOT predictable most of the time. Newberry winner. I enjoyed it, but it may not appeal to that many students.
Lots of interesting characters; I also liked that the plot is NOT predictable most of the time. Newberry winner. I enjoyed it, but it may not appeal to that many students.
Cute story. I would not say it kept me up at night or I couldn't put the book down but it was worth reading and I do think kids would like the book.
This book contains two timelines beautifully woven together, with a good number of twists and turns. It was interesting to have the Spanish Flu pandemic as part of the story since I read it during the Coronavirus lockdown.
On the cover of this book is a quote from Patricia Reilly Giff: "The best book I've read in ages." Before I read it, I figured she was overblowing it or had a run of bad books. But boy was I wrong; this is an amazing book, and a beautiful and powerful story. Definitely up there as one of the best children's books I've ever read. I'm looking forward to recommending this to kids at work.
What a sweet YA book. The story is funny and heartbreaking at the same time. The characters are all lovable, even those not on the up and up. I love the way the story was told within a story. Great descriptions. I could picture all of the characters and Manifest of 1918. Overall, a great book.
Beautiful book, 5/5 stars
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I was in a runt. The last book I read was Tuesdays with Morrie (a must read!), but I finished it a week ago. I went a whole week of quarantine reading nothing! So I went looking on my sister's bookshelf for a good read, this is what I came across and I am so glad I did. Moon Over Manifest was the perfect combination book for me (which is what I have found to be a great descriptor for books I have loved!): it combined historical fiction, children's literature, and fantastic, adult-fiction level writing and thought. This book was harmonious. After reading several adult level books where tying everything into a nice bow is frowned upon (rightfully so because life suck sometimes, eh?), this book and its absolutely gorgeous ending chapters were such a refresher.
I would recommend this book to just about everyone 13+ and especially people who read a lot of depressing/deep adult books who want a change but still want it to be a great book/well-written! The author really did a stunning job with this book, I'm sorry Clare, I underestimated you! :)
Really, great, great read.
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I was in a runt. The last book I read was Tuesdays with Morrie (a must read!), but I finished it a week ago. I went a whole week of quarantine reading nothing! So I went looking on my sister's bookshelf for a good read, this is what I came across and I am so glad I did. Moon Over Manifest was the perfect combination book for me (which is what I have found to be a great descriptor for books I have loved!): it combined historical fiction, children's literature, and fantastic, adult-fiction level writing and thought. This book was harmonious. After reading several adult level books where tying everything into a nice bow is frowned upon (rightfully so because life suck sometimes, eh?), this book and its absolutely gorgeous ending chapters were such a refresher.
I would recommend this book to just about everyone 13+ and especially people who read a lot of depressing/deep adult books who want a change but still want it to be a great book/well-written! The author really did a stunning job with this book, I'm sorry Clare, I underestimated you! :)
Really, great, great read.
I count many Newberry winners among my favorite books of all time, so I really had high hopes for Moon Over Manifest. Unfortunately, I never really clicked with it. It was entertaining enough, but I wasn't at all interested in Abilene and her story and felt like it actually detracted from the story of Manifest, the story that actually interested me and that kept wanting to get back to. However, I am not the target audience for this book and I do think my younger reader self would have been more enthralled.