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December Read - Three Times Lucky
By Kristen · 24 posts · 129 views
By Kristen · 24 posts · 129 views
last updated Jan 12, 2013 04:02PM
What Members Thought
meh. i guess i'll try to finish this one again someday.
did not like the folksy vernancular that rang false in my ears - winning a newbery for a first time children's author set some pretty high expectations for me, and thus I was just all the more disappointed when reading the metaphor strewn wordy prose. Blah. ...more
did not like the folksy vernancular that rang false in my ears - winning a newbery for a first time children's author set some pretty high expectations for me, and thus I was just all the more disappointed when reading the metaphor strewn wordy prose. Blah. ...more
I was looking forward to reading this book because it is set in SE Kansas, a place where I have lived and where my father grew up. So I was pleasantly surprised to be drawn into the story so completely. The characters and story are unforgettable. And the setting of Manifest KS is a sort of "everytown." It could be any small Midwestern town trying to regain its pride and vitality during the dark days of the Depression.
Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest to spend the summer while her father works o ...more
Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest to spend the summer while her father works o ...more
I'd really give this a 3 1/2. Neither the characters nor the plot really drew me in that much. The Water Seeker (Holt) or Honor book Heart of a Samurai, also published in 2010 are examples of two other historical novels that I think did better in both of these categories. Moon over Manifest will certainly draw a child's attention to a wealth of problems facing people in both 1918 and 1936, but to me, in bringing in so much, it lost focus in some key ways.
The Newbury is supposed to go to the "aut ...more
The Newbury is supposed to go to the "aut ...more
Feb 20, 2011
Barbara
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrensbookclubreads,
newbery-books
It's always a shot in the dark listening to an audiobook. This one was a bullseye. Listening to this Newbery Award Winner was a great choice and I highly recommend it. I will now start sending it out with my middle grade and above readers. In fact, I already did.
Trying this one again for the November Children's Book Club at the library. Only one person was able to come for my attempt at the August meeting so hopefully, more will come, especially since the time of the club has changed. I've given ...more
Trying this one again for the November Children's Book Club at the library. Only one person was able to come for my attempt at the August meeting so hopefully, more will come, especially since the time of the club has changed. I've given ...more
Recommended Ages: grades 5-8
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 ...more
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 ...more
On my third try, I finally finished this book! I made it through the audiobook, even though I was tempted to quit a bunch of times.
So. This book. Jeez. I can't even begin to imagine what Newbery deliberations must have been like the year it was chosen as the Medal winner. Let me break it down:
1. I would never have finished it if it wasn't a Newbery winner. It's way, way too long (my primary complaint) and way too full of cliches (of the both the Newbery and historical fiction variety). I would ...more
So. This book. Jeez. I can't even begin to imagine what Newbery deliberations must have been like the year it was chosen as the Medal winner. Let me break it down:
1. I would never have finished it if it wasn't a Newbery winner. It's way, way too long (my primary complaint) and way too full of cliches (of the both the Newbery and historical fiction variety). I would ...more
This is a well-written historical fiction story, but I'm not sure it has much kid appeal. It's the sleepy and sweet - and somewhat forgettable - tale about a girl trying to find her story by getting glimpses into her father's past.
Spanish influenza, bootleggers, World War I, immigration and the Ku Klux Klan all play a part in the story.
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Spanish influenza, bootleggers, World War I, immigration and the Ku Klux Klan all play a part in the story.
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This is not a book I'd usually pick up, but it won the Newbery so I gave it a whirl. I was totally absorbed in Ned and Jinx's story, and found it a beautifully written book. I don't know that kids would enjoy it as much as I did, but my 9-year-old asked to read it, so we'll see. Will report on that later!
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I'd given this a quick once-over a while back, but have to say it didn't grab me so I set it aside. I returned to it this weekend and am glad I did. Slowly story after story is layered and brought in and around in this moving and beautifully penned story. An impressive debut and Newbery winner.
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I can totally see why the Newbery committee liked this book, and their decision to make this the 2011 medalist was the most ridiculous thing ever. I would rather read almost any other Newbery winner than this book. INCLUDING The History of Mankind.
This was not one of those books that I picked up and immediately loved. In its favor is the fact that it won the Newbery this year. Against it is the pressure of knowing it won the Newbery, which makes me read with a more-critical-than-usual eye. Does it hold up against my other favorites from 2010? The answer is not quite - it's a strong book (with a very slow start) that ended up winning me over in the end. But if it were up to me, this book would have switched places with another tighter, mor
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Heartwarming story about how a young girl discovers more about her father and finds acceptance and a place to call home.
Grades 5-8. RL 800. In 1936 twelve year-old Abiline Tucker is sent by her father to stay in the town where he grew up. Unsure when he will return, Abeline delves into old newspaper articles and letters from 1917--hoping to uncover her father's past. But not everyone is happy about what she finds. Sort of a blend of mystery and historical fiction (WWI).
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I liked the historical setting and the characters have personality and voice. The plot twists remind me of the book "Holes"--there's even a gypsy "diviner". It does skip around between characters and time so it might be a rather difficult book for children. It would be interesting to know what child readers think about this book.
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I think listening to this on audio really added to my enjoyment - great readers (a different voice for Abilene, Ned and Hattie May) that pulled me into the story & characters.
I loved the story within a story that came together in the end.
I loved the story within a story that came together in the end.
I really liked how this all came together in the end. However, the first half of the book I really wasn't into it so I'm only giving it 3 stars.
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great collection of characters!
I'm in love with this book =)
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Jan 17, 2011
CLM
marked it as to-read
