Summary
Moon Over Manifest is a story told by a two different characters. Abilene is the main character. She is a young girl who starts out on a train to Manifest, Kansas. Her Father sent her there to live with his friends while he worked. Abilene was curious to find out what her fathers connections were in Manifest. The 1930's were hard times in Manifest and the town had obviously been influenced by many people back in 1917 and 1918 and Abilene was determined to find out what the big secrets were. Her answers came from an unexpected source, the towns diviner. As it turns out, a young boys trickster mind helped to save the town. The question is, will Abilene learn of her fathers past and reconnect with him at the end of the summer?
APA Reference
Vanderpool, C. (2010). Moon over manifest. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.
My Impressions
I personally loved this book as I particularly enjoy historical fiction novels. Clare Vanderpool details the life of those in small town in Kansas during the hard times of The Great Depression as well as World War I. I particularly enjoy books that tell a story within another story from history. The mystery of who Abilene's father held through to the end. Of course, I had my guesses, but certain details made me question if my predictions were true. This book won the Caldecott Award for 2011, and rightfully so. I have already been recommending this book to the older students in my school. I would love to see this story made into a movie!
Professional Review
When 12-year-old Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kan., in 1936 to stay with her father’s boyhood friend, little does she know her sojourn will take her back, via mesmerizing tales, newspaper clippings, curious mementoes and World War I letters, to Manifest as it was in 1918—and into the life of the mysterious boy nicknamed Jinx. This young con man effected extraordinary change in the lives of the mostly immigrant residents and the fortunes of the mining town in that year. Abilene and readers get so caught up in the past in this richly detailed, splendidly written novel that they easily make the transition between the Depression and WWI eras and long to learn more about the town that once was. Readers will love guessing how Abilene’s dad fits into all the stories and townspeople’s memories. The absolute necessity of story as a way to redemption and healing past wounds is at the heart of this beautiful debut, and readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending. (author’s note) (Historical fiction. 10-14)
Library Uses
Moon Over Manifest would be a great recommendation for students interested in reading books during the time of The Great Depression or World War I. If students are researching the era, this book would help them understand what it was like in a small town during the era. 
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