Moon Over Manifest: Novel-Ties Study Guide

I couldn't stop talking about the absolutely perfect condition of the book when I opened the package. There was not one crease in the spine, the covers were completely flat, none of the pages were wrinkled. And you gave me a bookmark, too! I thought that was very thoughtful; no one else I buy books from does that. I am very pleased and will buy more books from here in the future.

I chose 5 stars because it was realistic and dramatic.
I would recommend this story to people who like happy stories about good people who have sad things happen to them and they find a way to be stronger because of it.

This book has been incredibly written, and I want everyone who sees this to buy or at least read the book. It is really worth the cost. With Abilene, Lettie, Ruthanne, Miss Sadie, Shady, Ned, and of course Jinx, this book is one you will never forget!

Before giving books to my grandchildren for birthdays, I read them. This one is not only appropriate for children but great reading for adults. In fact I'm ordering one fo by 60+ year old Sister-in-Law.I can't wait for Ms. Vanderpool's next book.

This book is now a family favorite, especially for those granddaughters, nieces and young cousins. Books are now a prized tactile as well as intellectually enriching experience for the youngsters of today.

Written by a master. This book is as suitable for adults as for the listed age group. It is hauntingly enjoyable and unforgetable. It is one of those rarities that should enter the consciousness of all its readers, to be carried along with all the other stored memories of books we think of as important to us.

Clare Vanderpool adds depth and passion to an adolescent girl whom otherwise would be pathetic. Her story is one of hardship and triumph and unconditional love. She shows true valiance and humor impecibly!

I really, really liked "Navigating Early" by the same author, and since this one is the one that won (wow, that's a lot of 1's!) the Newberry, I really expected it to be a good read. Unfortunately, it kind of rambles on as though it's building towards some sort of climax, and then it ends in a fairly unsatisfying way.

My fifth grade kid made it about halfway through before finding it tedious and asking me if I thought it was worth finishing, and I had to confess that it kind of wasn't. It's actually the only book he's never finished, or asked that sort of question about before. And "Navigating Early" is his all time favorite book.

That said, I can see how a lot of people like it. And as far as literature for kids goes, there are worse books out there. It's definitely not completely "stupid" the way a lot of books for kids are.

In 40 or 50 years there still might be kids reading "Navigating Early" (the way kids today still read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Where the Red Fern Grows"), but I seriously doubt that kids will still be reading this one. It just doesn't make much of a long-term impression, and I can't imagine this being a work that makes a lot of children develop a love of literature for the first time.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

2011 Winner of the Newbery Award

Recommended for the 2012-2013 Pikes Peak Area Battle of the Books List

From the back cover: The air in Miss Sadie's parlor was hot and thick. I thought that sitting on one of those red velvety couches chock-full of fringy pillows was probably akin to suffocating. I took a deep breath and ventured around the room.

The double doors of the parlor whooshed open. A large fleshy woman stood before me in full regalia. Her eyes were all made up; her earrings and bracelets jangled. The sign in the window said Miss Sadie was a medium. From the look of her, I'd have said that was a bit wistful.

Thinking she hadn't seen me, I turned to make a clean getaway.

"Sit down," she said, her voice thick and savory, like goulash. She put her hands flat on the table. "Let us see if today the spirits are willing to speak." Suddenly, it became clear: A diviner. A medium. This woman was a fortune-teller and a spirit conjurer. If you believed in that sort of thing.

What I liked about the book: This was an ok story. I liked the characters well enough, but I just didn't think it was special enough to be a Newbery. In the last five years or so, I've had a hard time seeing what the committee members see in their selection.

What I didn't like about the book: The story drug on on a little too long. There wasn't enough excitement in the story to keep my interest for the entire book and I had to force myself to finish. If it had not won the Newbery I wouldn't have bothered to finish it.

AR Level: 5.3

Recommended for 4th Grade and up.

Mrs. Archer's (aka Booklady) rating: 3 of 5.