Full Cicada Moon, Marilyn Hilton. It is 1969 and Mimi Yoshiko Oliver, half-black and half-Japanese has her dream of being an astronaut. Apollo 11 is preparing for its take off and Mimi and her parents move from California to Vermont, next door to Mr. Dell, who doesn't take too kindly to her family, along with most of the local people. She is tired of the question, "Where do you come from." Mr. Dell's nephew, Timothy, often stays with him and likes to play with Pattress, the dog, outside. Mimi learns there is a telescope in Mr. Dell's garage and Timothy lets her look through it when Mr. Dell is gone.

As a school project, Mimi is building one on the moon phases; however, girls are not allowed in the shop class. Timothy helps her get access to Mr. Dell's tools, in exchange for her dad teaching him how to bake bread. In 1969, girls took home economics and boys took shop and neither needed to learn the opposite trade.  However, with Mimi's perseverance, she continues to dog Mr. MacDougall, the principal, to make a change, although a small one.

When Mimi and her mother realize Pattress, self proclaimed watchdog to their turkeys, is missing, along with one of the nine turkeys, they go looking, only to find him hurt and alone. Reluctantly, Mimi goes to get Mr. Dell for help.

Mimi's grit and determination keep her moving forward and thinking of her waxing future, which will include the moon.