Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Moon Over Manifest was required reading for my Masters in Library Science, (MLIS), class in Literature for Children, otherwise I probably never would have picked it up which would have been a shame.  Moon Over Manifest is the story of a young girl, Abilene Tucker, who is on the brink of becoming a young woman.  Her father Gideon, who is a drifter, sends her to live with an old friend of his in the small town of Manifest Kansas, while he works on a job for the railroad.  Abilene was lonely but determined to learn more about her father from the quirky townsfolk.  She made two new girl friends at school and they spent the summer looking for a spy, named Rattler.  Abilene became indebted to the town medium, Miss Sadie, and while she worked off her debt Miss Sadie told her the story of the history of Manifest, which Abilene learned is also the story of why her father became a drifter.  

Clare Vanderpool set Moon Over Manifest in Manifest Kansas, because it was based on the town Frontenac Kansas, which is where her maternal grandparents were from.  Vanderpool grew up in Wichita Kansas and still lives there with her husband and four children, therefore she is intimately familiar with the area.  Vanderpool won the 2011 Newbery Award for Moon Over Manifest.

I loved Moon Over Manifest, it was a coming-of- age story with quirky characters, intrigue, and a well-written plot.  This book was recommended for children ages 8-12, but older teens, and even many adults would enjoy this book, (especially those who grew up in the thirties, or have lived or visited Kansas).  I am very happy that I read this book for my class and I will be recommending it to pre-teen and teen girls, and even some adult women who like to read young adult materials.  

Reviewed by Becky 

 Vanderpool, C. (2010). Moon Over Manifest. New York, New York, USA: Delacorte Press.

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