With colorful characters and creative writing, this book is a delightful read for all ages
Heidi Williamson
If you aren’t a fan of children’s fiction, Moon Over Manifest, winner of the 2011 Newberry Medal, just might make you one.
Sent by her Daddy to Manifest, Ks, 12–year-old Abilene Tucker is on a mission. Number one: Uncover the history of Manifest, “A Town with a rich past and a bright future.” Number two: Discover how it impacted her young father, Gideon Tucker, years ago.
Living with Shady, a ‘somewhat shady preacher;’ Abilene meets a colorful cast of characters: A Hungarian woman, a catholic midwife, the town journalist, a cranky caretaker and new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne.
Combine this with hidden letters, bootleggers, and corn whiskey. Add old newspapers, spy hunting and storytelling by a fortune-teller. This makes an intriguing, two-part story plot which pushes readers through the pages like a hot Kansas wind.
Manifest, Abilene discovers, is an old town full of shut-up secrets. Yet the revealer of secrets is closer than she thinks. As Abilene searches for clues about her father, she discovers everyone in Manifest has a story hidden in their hearts: and she has a story of her own to tell.
With a well-crafted writing style and creative flair, author Clare Vanderpool creates a delightful tale you don’t want to miss and a story you won’t forget.