The climax of a story is a very particular part of the plot that is the height of the tension. The climax happens at the end of the rising action, but prior to the resolution. In Moon Over Manifest, the rising action is the largest part of the plot involving the entire story from Miss Sadie, the diviner. Miss Sadie's story allows Abilene to figure out the truth about her father. The moment Abilene finds out the truth is the climax of the story.
This climax definitely needs some explanation. After Miss Sadie's story is told, Abilene is able to match the letters and different mementos to the story. Abilene finds out, even though she had always thought her father's name was Gideon, he really had the nickname of Jinx. Poor Gideon/ Jinx blamed himself (at least partially) for Ned's death and (later) for Abilene's sickness. Gideon/ Jinx also believed he could not properly care for Abilene and wanted her to live a better life. This devastated Gideon/ Jinx; therefore, he fled from the devastation and sent Abilene to Manifest. Before he left, however, he placed the mementos under a floorboard that is now in Abilene's possession and gave the compass to her with an inscription that reveals information about Ned's death. Miss Sadie's story is the catalyst that allows Abilene to piece the truth together in the book's tension-filled climax.
Of course, after this climax (when Abilene figures out the truth), comes the resolution: the reunification of Abilene and Gideon/ Jinx. Abilene sends a telegram, and Gideon arrives by rail. Neither is sure they will stay together in Manifest, but they know that looking into each other's eyes feels "like home."
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