Moon Over Manifest is a tale of community, understanding, and family, with a little bit of mystery mixed in. Strange people and events become less strange as this well-crafted puzzle comes together by the end of the novel. At the beginning of the book, Abilene's dad sends her away for the summer to live with an old friend in Manifest, a town he lived in for some of his childhood. Abilene does not have high hopes for the summer. She is unsure of why her father sent her and feels all alone. When Abilene discovers a hidden box of old letters and mementos, Abilene finds new purpose. She attempts to solve a small town mystery with a couple of new friends. As she begins to uncover pieces of the puzzle, she finds herself digging deeper and deeper into the history of the town of Manifest. Questions arise about about her own family history, and curiosity about her father leads Abilene to continue her search for truth and understanding. This is a great book for middle-grade readers. I enjoyed the complex characters and the idea that people, places, and stories are not always as they seem.