Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2010)

Genre: Historical Fiction, mystery

Themes: Family, Friendship

Awards: Newbery Award (2011)

Summary:

Abilene Tucker has lived a life on the road. Her father, whom she refers to as Gideon, has gotten by using his quick wit and keen sense of people but when she gets sick from a cut on her leg and almost dies he sends her to Manifest Kansas, a town with a secret. It is here that Abilene with the help of two friends reveals the deeply buried secrets that will not only fill the gaping whole she feels in her heart but heal the town as well. The girls spend the summer in search of “The Rattler” a presumed spy from long ago. The local gypsy women helps Abilene piece the stories of the old town together allowing her to bond with the past of the town and eventually finding her home, Manifest Kansas Personal Response:

This tale told by three different characters is engaging, charming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I was rooting for Abilene from the beginning and hoping that Jinx turned out to be her father. The way the letters from Ned, the Newpaper articles and Miss Sadies stories weave the tale of Abilenes past is so engaging I could barely put the book down. I want to share this story aloud with my class I believe it will engage them on many levels. The characters are diverse and have endearing qualities about them. These qualities make us feel as though we know them and the common themes of family and friendship and how they endure through hardship and stress are articulated in this story and although Abilene uncovers the mystery of the town we are left only hoping that love and family will conquer all.