Bibliography:
Vanderpool, Clare. 2011. MOON OVER MANIFEST. New York: Random House. 978-0-385-73883-5.
Plot Summary:
Abilene Tucker’s father Gideon has been put Abilene on a train bound for Manifest Kansas to live with one of Gideon’s friends so Gideon can do work on the railroad. Abilene is confused about why he would send her off since they’ve always managed before but what starts out as a boring time in Manifest turns into a mystery of who Gideon really is. Abilene discovers a cigar box of various personal objects including a letter referring to a spy named the Rattler and with the help of her friends Lettie and Ruthanne they seek out the truth of Gideon’s past.
Critical Analysis:
The story of Gideon and piecing together the characters and timeline is a rather difficult thing to do in the audiobook version of Moon over Manifest. The narrator does not change her voice significantly when speaking for different characters so it takes awhile to figure out who she is speaking for. The book is listed for ages 9-12 but I am not sure if this book in the audiobook version is the easiest book to follow along with for this age group.
The plot of Moon over Manifest is a pretty intricate one that brings up points in history that do not have a huge focus in children’s history books. The Alcohol Prohibition of the 1920’s is a major focus within this story and is an example of this. I would imagine it would take some additional explaining for children to fully understand that aspect of the story. Another major point in history during this time period that children may not fully understand is the Influenza outbreak and how towns were quarantined with the intention of trying to control the outbreak. Children are more familiar with what the flu is but not so much Influenza.
The storyline and the mystery of who the Rattler is and who Gideon is is really remarkable and interesting but it is my belief there are aspects of the plot line that would require some additional explaining. I feel for a young child to read or listen to this story on their own might be a little advanced but in a classroom setting read out loud by a teacher or a parent reading it with their child there would be an opportunity to explain certain points in history that a child might not fully understand.
Overall this story is unique, interesting and entertaining. Abilene is a sweet, adventurous girl who is put in situations that would scare many girls her own age such as getting on a train by herself and going to live with a man she’s never met. Watching Abilene form a bond with Ruthanne and Lettie is so sweet because it’s a type of friendship you know Abilene has never experienced before. You feel for Abilene and cheer for her through this story, hoping she finds what she is looking for in figuring out who Gideon really is.
Review Excerpts and Awards:
2011 Newbery Medal Winner
2011 Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Fiction
“Readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Replete with historical details and surprises, Vanderpool’s debut delights, while giving insight into family and community.” – Publishers Weekly
“Ingeniously plotted and gracefully told.” - The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Connections:
· It would be fun for children after reading this story to create a box of personal objects that represent who they are and share them with the class or have the class try to piece together who the person is based on the objects in the box.
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