2011 NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER The movement of the train rocked me like a lullaby. I closed my eyes to the dusty countryside and imagined the sign I’d seen only in Gideon’s stories: Manifest—A Town with a rich past and a bright future. Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job. Armed only with a few possessions and her list of universals, Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kansas, aiming to learn about the boy her father once was. Having heard stories about Manifest, Abilene is disappointed to find that it’s just a dried-up, worn-out old town. But her disappointment quickly turns to excitement when she discovers a hidden cigar box full of mementos, including some old letters that mention a spy known as the Rattler. These mysterious letters send Abilene and her new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on an honest-to-goodness spy hunt, even though they are warned to “Leave Well Enough Alone.” Abilene throws all caution aside when she heads down the mysterious Path to Perdition to pay a debt to the reclusive Miss Sadie, a diviner who only tells stories from the past. It seems that Manifest’s history is full of colorful and shadowy characters—and long-held secrets. The more Abilene hears, the more determined she is to learn just what role her father played in that history. And as Manifest’s secrets are laid bare one by one, Abilene begins to weave her own story into the fabric of the town. Powerful in its simplicity and rich in historical detail, Clare Vanderpool’s debut is a gripping story of loss and redemption.
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"This book looked very interesting, as one of the New York Times Bestseller. It even won a John Newbery Medal. Abilene Tucker is the main character that was sent away by her father to live in Manifest, Kentucky. She always heard stories of her father, but they were brief. Abilene wanted more than anything, to know how her father was as a boy in Manifest. She was upset to see that the town she had heard so much about, was just an old town taken over by the depression. Abilene was snooping around and found a cigar box, filled with letters. She decided that maybe this is the connection to her father that she was looking for. She meets a fortune teller, that helps uncover the past of Manifest. I felt this was an easy read for kids and shared great information about he past, around the 1930s. I would have my students read this, but do activities as we read along.Clare Vanderpool did a great job of portraying what it was like to live in that town and I could imagine it as I read through the story."
— Sami (4 out of 5 stars)
" A RIVETING STORY NARRATED PERFECTLY, WILL KEEP A CHILD OF ANY AGE LISTENING UNTIL THE END! "
— DLM, 1/4/2021" This is a book that could be used with fifth and maybe sixth graders. It is about a young girl whose father sends her Kansas for the summer. It is where her father grew up. She goes on many adventures that are full of surprises. "
— Elizabeth, 2/17/2014" I loved this debut novel by Clare Vanderpool. I love novels with quirky characters and this one was chock full of them. The protagonist, Abilene, is a spunky girl who has had to pull herself up by the bootstraps her whole life. She gets sent to the town of Manifest (Kansas? can't remember), a tiny dying town, and thinks she's going to be bored out of her skull. But the nun, gypsy, bartender/preacher all make sure she's got plenty of excitement. The book reminded me of some of the fun Southern novels, although it's not set in the South. I wondered if the two story threads would bug me but found that I was gripped by both. Ending was satisfying, too, something I haven't always found in books lately. I recommend this one. "
— Tessa, 2/13/2014" Nate gave me this book for Christmas. I believe it is written for young adults and is a Caldecott Winner. It was really fun and had all of my favorite things in one book: 1918 Flu epidemic, WWI, life on the prairie, and a good mystery. The characters were rich and the story was full of twists and turns. Thanks, Nate!! "
— Kathy, 2/9/2014" I first read this as a library check-out but was so taken with the story and the way it was told, I had to buy my own copy and read it again. (and I could mark the lines I loved best!) The author uses a variety of formats in telling this story, from narration to news clippings to old advertisements to fortune telling. Great characters add depth to a story that is not only a good historical read, but a compelling mystery. "
— Marianne, 2/2/2014" I liked the back story better than the real story- but it was a somewhat entertaining read. However, it is never discussed how this girl came to be Gideon's daughter- which I thought was a bit weird not to mention. "
— Lindy, 1/5/2014" Cute story. I liked it. "
— Tasha, 12/21/2013" This was a beautiful book, I loved everything about it and this is now one of my favorite books! "
— Louise, 12/4/2013" This book was amazing. There were two different stories that went on at the same time and came together at the end. "
— Shayna, 11/26/2013" A great story, great writing, loved how everything wraps up in the end!! "
— Letty, 11/25/2013" this book was realy good Amzing plot belivable characters. lots of fun. "
— maisha, 11/17/2013" It is one of my favorite books. I like how it tells a story in a story. I also really like how every time I re read it I love it all over again. "
— Remy, 10/29/2013" Good, solid story. Liked the author's style of writing. "
— Lee, 8/2/2013" Newberry Award winning historical fiction that takes place in the time period of 1918-1936. I enjoyed very much but I love historical fiction. There are multiple stories within stories which causes the book to start off slow before you become emotionally invested. "
— Westfordys, 7/7/2013" Wonderful book! Finally, a Newbery award winner that doesn't feature horrible things happening to a child. Fantastic characters and great writing made me sad when this story was over. "
— Kate, 3/15/2013" Simply loved this book. Really great read, one that I will want Abby to read when she is a little older. Takes place in a very interesting time in our history with plenty of charming characters. Made a good bookclub discussion. "
— Holli, 2/20/2013" What a great story!! It kept me turning the pages. I loved it! "
— Jayne, 1/2/2013" Good book. Slow starter, and pretty easy to see what's coming, but enjoyable none-the-less. "
— Holly, 11/18/2012" I thought this was a charming, fun read. Enjoyed the writing, the stories, and the characters. Good read. "
— Rita, 9/7/2012" Fully deserves its Newbery Award. A deeply moving, funny portrait of a small town, and the girl who changes it. It's not a fast-moving novel, but the slow pace suits the characters and the gradual unwinding of the two stories. "
— Lian, 3/27/2012" I loved this book! Great story with many surprises. "
— Kimberly, 1/14/2012" I really liked this book, but I would think it may be a bit too long and in parts boring for the age group it was written for. I really enjoyed the mysteries and how they were all solved. Looking forward to more books from the author. "
— Barbara, 6/30/2011" Great book about finding one's home and place in society. At the same time it highlights the different kinds of love: parental and friendship. It was a very moving book. "
— Laural, 6/29/2011" Loved this book, another historical fiction set around the depression with flashbacks to 1918. "
— Michele, 6/29/2011" Loved the book. Loved the story. Loved the time period. It's all good. A great summer read. "
— Ann, 6/27/2011" I loved this book. Completely deserving of the Newbery Medal, in my opinion. "
— Krystal, 6/27/2011" Meaningful novel, that shares the story of a child looking for answers. Clare Vanderpool depicts a convincing story in two time periods with easy comprehension. This coming of age story, enables the reader to envision a setting at two distinct times, connecting the characters with meaning. "
— Kellie, 6/23/2011" I really enjoyed this book. It was very reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables and Tom Sawyer. The story was well laid out and I liked the back and forth between 1918 and 1936. It was nice to read something other than the super-natural! "
— Kathy, 6/21/2011" Very charming story that is cleverly written. Deserving of the Newbery, but I'm not sure how much children are going to enjoy it. "
— Jennifer, 6/21/2011Clare Vanderpool, recipient of the 2011 Newbery Award, is a resident of Wichita, Kansas. She has a degree in English and Elementary Education and enjoys reading, going to the pool with her children, the television show Monk, and visiting the bookstores in her town.
Jenna Lamia is an actress and award-winning audiobook narrator. She has won the prestigious Audie Award, as well as more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards. Her narration of The Book of Polly was named a 2018 Outstanding Audiobook Narration by RUSA. She narrated Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which won a YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults award, and Carol Lynch Williams’ The Chosen One, for which she received the 2010 Audie Award for Best Female Solo Narration. She has appeared on and off-Broadway, and her acting credits include appearances on Oz, Law & Order: SVU, and NYPD Blue. She has attended Amherst College, New York University, and the Sorbonne in Paris.
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.