Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

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1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Vanderpool, Clare. 2010. Moon Over Manifest. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385738835

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Abilene Tucker, the main character in Moon Over Manifest, is well acquainted with a roaming lifestyle. Motherless since she was a toddler, twelve-year-old Abilene has been living with her father wandering from town to town as drifters tend to do, but now things are different. The story begins with Abilene jumping off a train headed for Manifest, Kansas by herself. Her father decided to send Abilene to live with an old friend of his, Shady Howard, in his old hometown for the summer or perhaps longer. Abilene tells her own story as she explores the tired town and tries to figure out why her father sent her to Manifest. She meets the residents, makes some friends, studies old newspaper clippings, and tries to unravel the mystery of how her father fits into this town. Her discovery of a hidden box containing various items adds to her curiosity and ignites her determination to learn more about her father and the history of this small town. This is an overall enjoyable novel to read.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
With her words, author Clare Vanderpool successfully paints an historical picture of any small Midwestern American town set in the 1930s. The story shifts periodically from 1936 to 1917-1918 and back to better tell the history of this fictional town. Abilene tells her part of the story, the 1936 portion, in a first-person point of view that is enjoyable and easy to understand. Intertwined throughout the story are historical references such as prohibition, influenza, prejudice, coal mining issues, and the Great Depression. Preceding the first chapter is a very helpful list of characters of 1918 and a list of characters of 1936. Readers have the opportunity to glance at these lists if needed throughout the book. Each chapter is dated to aid the readers. Clare Vanderpool wrote an author’s note in the back of the book that explains her research and choice of words. She also included a page entitled “Sources and Suggestions for Further Reading” in the back of the book that readers can explore if they choose to do so.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
John Newbery Medal, 2011
BOOKLIST: Starred Review – “With believable dialogue, vocabulary and imagery appropriate to time and place, and well-developed characters, this rich and rewarding first novel is “like sucking on a butterscotch. Smooth and sweet.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review – “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.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This thoroughly enjoyable, unique page-turner is a definite winner.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: Starred Review - “Replete with historical details and surprises, Vanderpool's debut delights, while giving insight into family and community.”
Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2011
Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2011
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2010
Notable Children's Books, 2011
John Newbery Medal, 2011

5. CONNECTIONS
• This book could be used in conjunction with a study of the Great Depression.
• To learn more about this new author, see her website at http://www.clarevanderpool.com/home.html