Full Cicada Moon

Full Cicada Moon follows Mimi Yoshiko Oliver, a half-Black, half-Japanese seventh grader who moves with her family from Berkeley to a small Vermont town in 1969. The story is told through free verse poems that chronicle her first year in her new home. Mimi faces obstacles at school and in the community as she pursues her dream of becoming an astronaut, defying gender restrictions in classes like shop and challenging the expectations placed on girls in the 1960s. She must also navigate being the only student of color in her school while staying true to both sides of her mixed-race heritage. The historical backdrop includes major events of 1969, including the Apollo 11 moon landing and the ongoing Vietnam War, which affect both Mimi's personal journey and her community. Her relationships with family, friends, and neighbors evolve as she works to find her place. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and perseverance through the lens of a young girl determined to reach for the stars despite societal limitations. Through Mimi's experiences, the story examines how change happens both in individuals and communities.

Readers connect with protagonist Mimi's determination and resilience as she navigates racism, sexism, and cultural identity in 1969 Vermont. The verse novel format receives consistent praise for making complex themes accessible to middle-grade readers while maintaining emotional depth. Likes: - Authentic portrayal of biracial experience and family dynamics - Historical context woven naturally into narrative - Strong female character pursuing STEM interests - Poetic writing style that flows quickly Dislikes: - Some find the verse format takes adjustment - A few readers note the plot moves slowly - Minor criticism about predictable resolution Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (115+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 Notable reader comment: "The sparse verse perfectly captures Mimi's observations as an outsider looking in, while still delivering a complete story." - Goodreads reviewer Parents and teachers frequently recommend it for discussions about inclusion and perseverance.

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🌙 The novel is written entirely in verse, using free-form poetry to tell its story about a biracial girl in 1969 Vermont 🚀 The backdrop of the Apollo 11 moon landing parallels the main character's own journey of reaching for her dreams despite obstacles 🎯 Author Marilyn Hilton was inspired to write the book after hearing stories from her Japanese-American friend about growing up in Vermont during the 1960s 📚 The book received multiple awards, including the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and the NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts Award 🌟 The main character Mimi's interest in becoming an astronaut was groundbreaking for the time period, as the first American woman wouldn't go to space until 1983 (Sally Ride)