A wonderful heartwarming historical fiction novel, that won the Newbery Award in 2011. Recommended for ages 8 - 12.
Abilene comes to the town of Manifest in 1936. She is twelve years old and has been riding the rails with her Father. She doesn’t understand why her Father sent her away and is counting the days until he comes back for her at the end of summer. In the book you move back and forth between Abilene’s time (summer 1936) and 1917-18. The chapters alternate time periods as you and Abilene try to piece together clues about her Father, Gideon Tucker, and the time he spent in Manifest as a youngster. Yet, this book is so much more than Abilene and Gideon’s story, it is the town’s story.
I highly recommend this book. I liked the use of primary sources to tell parts of the story and the wonderful storytelling of Miss Sadie as she helps Abilene learn about her father and all the townspeople of Manifest. Pickup or download this book no matter your age, I don’t think you will regret it.
This book is available on RB Digital and in the Walnut Grove Public Library. NF
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