In 1936, twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas, after her father sends her away to live with an old friend for the summer. While navigating the dusty town, she discovers a cigar box filled with old letters and trinkets hidden under a floorboard. These artifacts lead her to a local diviner named Miss Sadie, who recounts stories from 1917 involving two boys named Jinx and Ned. Abilene spends her days following these historical clues to uncover her father's secret past and the town's history of bootlegging and immigrant coal miners.
Middle-grade readers and fans of historical mysteries choose this book for its layered plotting and intricate small-town atmosphere. The dual-timeline narrative provides a detailed look at life during the Great Depression and the Home Front during World War I. Readers finish the story with a clear understanding of how local lore is constructed through oral history and how community identity is formed by shared hardships. It appeals to those who enjoy piecing together puzzles and learning about the social dynamics of early twentieth-century American life.
Balanced in tone; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2010
- Language
- EN
