Moon Over Manifest / Clare Vanderpool / 351 pages

This is the 2011 Newbery Award winner and it certainly deserves the award. So many times I cringe when the Newbery is announced and wonder...Is it a book that kids will want to read? Is it a book that helps readers to grow? Is it a book that will retain its appeal over the years? My answer for Moon Over Manifest is yes, yes, yes! This is truly a wonderful book. Perfect for reading aloud....a dreambook for any discussion group. Abilene Tucker, an 11 year old girl, daughter of a wandering dad, is not a character you can easily forget. Manifest, Kansas is the type of town you might know. The people of Manifest are not what they seem. The book is set in 1936 in the hardtimes of the Depression but it also flashes back to 1917-1918 and what was happening during that time. It is about stories and how stories are part of all of our lives and help us to understand who we are. Well, you just have to read this. You will not be sorry and you will want to share it. Read every single word...even the author's note and the acknowlegements. This is a book that is carefully woven and makes your heart feel full.