A review by reneesmith
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

5.0

LOVED this depression era coming-of-age story of sweet, imaginative Abilene, who has been sent to her father’s hometown for the summer while he looks for work. Her longing for her daddy and fear that he will not return drive her to research the town’s history for some glimpse of her elusive father. Fortunately, she has landed among townsfolk as kind as they are colorful. And through Abilene’s research we enjoy stories from the early 1900’s---how the founding immigrants of the town fight the mining company and the KKK, how the Spanish influenza ravages the country, and how the young men of the town navigate the horrors of WWI. Several times this poignant, charming story brought tears to my eyes---actually, one part had them rolling down my cheeks. I feared the ending, but it was just exactly right. What a hope & light filled book! Must read! The Newbery Medal was well-deserved. (Perfect narrator from Audible.)