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stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn’t swept away by MOON OVER MANIFEST the way I want books, especially Newbery Prize-winning ones, to do to me. In some ways, this is an odd book: the 1936 plotline mingles with the 1917-1918 plotline that’s told through stories, and for some reason or another I found the 1918 plotline so much more interesting than the 1936 plotline. I actually have to shake my head a little at how it’s possible for the 1936 plotline to be so dull. But there you have it: what could have been a charming plotline about Abilene Tucker arriving at Manifest, getting to know the town’s quirky residents, and digging into its secrets turned into a snoozefest in which Abilene runs around town with all the productivity of one of those annoying little dogs that always have so much energy and yet are so stupid, has placeholder conversations with the townspeople and eats their food, and purportedly has adventures with her two friends (whom I couldn’t pick out of a three-person lineup if I tried, they were so uncharacterized) without actually doing anything that was actually worth writing 350+ pages about.
That was a bit harsh of me. I like clever books that surprise and outsmart me, and the revelation at MOON OVER MANIFEST’s ending did that, and even brought out some tears in me. However, under no circumstances can I wholeheartedly recommend a book just for its good ending if I felt the rest of it was just average. And, yeah, I felt MOON OVER MANIFEST was just average. It’s clever, the way the two storylines finally connected, but that’s not enough to overcome average characters and a slow plot. If I was inclined to put it down several times in the middle, how do you think a middle-grade audience would feel?
That was a bit harsh of me. I like clever books that surprise and outsmart me, and the revelation at MOON OVER MANIFEST’s ending did that, and even brought out some tears in me. However, under no circumstances can I wholeheartedly recommend a book just for its good ending if I felt the rest of it was just average. And, yeah, I felt MOON OVER MANIFEST was just average. It’s clever, the way the two storylines finally connected, but that’s not enough to overcome average characters and a slow plot. If I was inclined to put it down several times in the middle, how do you think a middle-grade audience would feel?
likeboadicea's review against another edition
2.0
Moon Over Manifest, a book set with the backdrop of WWI, follows young Abilene on her journey of discovering the history of the town she currently calls home while she also tries to learn who her father truly is, and why he sent her to this town of all places. The story had a good set up, albeit a little predicable, with how it gradually revealed to both the reader and Abilene the story of Manifest, Kansas and, in turn, Abilene's father.
While I enjoyed Abilene's character, I found the parts of the novel set earlier in history, in 1918, to be far more engaging. However, I do see how this could be considered to be the strength of a novel, particularly since it is deemed to be part of the YA genre. Young readers could eagerly wait for the next piece of the story's puzzle with Abilene, and then take heart from our young heroine as she mulls over the events of the story. She works as a bridge from the story of 1918 to the reader, guiding them in focusing on the themes of responsibility, family, and self-identification that are present in the story.
I could easily see this novel as a beneficial read for younger readers: the aforementioned themes as well as the topics of racial segregation in the time of the novel. The plot, as well, might not be so predictable to a younger audience, and therefore, more captivating.
While I enjoyed Abilene's character, I found the parts of the novel set earlier in history, in 1918, to be far more engaging. However, I do see how this could be considered to be the strength of a novel, particularly since it is deemed to be part of the YA genre. Young readers could eagerly wait for the next piece of the story's puzzle with Abilene, and then take heart from our young heroine as she mulls over the events of the story. She works as a bridge from the story of 1918 to the reader, guiding them in focusing on the themes of responsibility, family, and self-identification that are present in the story.
I could easily see this novel as a beneficial read for younger readers: the aforementioned themes as well as the topics of racial segregation in the time of the novel. The plot, as well, might not be so predictable to a younger audience, and therefore, more captivating.
booksconnectus's review against another edition
5.0
Really wonderful children's book. Hope to read it with my young reader's this year. It's going to be one of those classics that people from 8-90 will fall in love with. Just a nice story with some history and mystery thrown and the subtle reminder not to judge those we don't know-something we all can't be reminded of enough.
alliejuve's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
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).
_kadi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
megangraff's review against another edition
3.0
It took me longer to finish this book than it should of. I don't think many of my students are going to get much out it.
sparkly44's review against another edition
5.0
What a fabulous storyteller! In truth, I read this as an e-book, although I own a hardcover copy and it's been sitting in my pile for a couple years! And it was an accidental read, because it fell onto the electronic page of library e-books. I was trying to get Gabaldon's Voyager back on hold! If Moon Over Manifest is sitting in your pile, take it out and read it. You won't regret it.
Learning about the town of Manifest through young Abilene Tucker is an historical adventure that you will enjoy, sadness and all.
Thank you for the great read, Miss Vanderpool. Now, I'm going to look for Navigating Early!
Learning about the town of Manifest through young Abilene Tucker is an historical adventure that you will enjoy, sadness and all.
Thank you for the great read, Miss Vanderpool. Now, I'm going to look for Navigating Early!
debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
This was beautiful. Vanderpool did a fantastic job of weaving a complex story with characters that feel more real than you realize. I did not expect to love it, but by the end I felt so close to the people in the story that I couldn't help but love them. A wonderful, insightful read that deserves to be read again.