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.

The Whole Story of Half a Girl, Veera Hiranandani. Sonia is half Jewish and half Indian and she doesn't feel she quite fits either heritage. Her Indian father lost his job and sinks into a deep depression, leaving a shell of the father she grew up with. Her Jewish mother, who doesn't practice the faith, works extra to compensate. Sonia attended the Community school with her best friend, Sam. But with money tight, she is forced to attend the local public school, which is quite different: structure, rules, grades, mean kids. She slowly makes a friend in Alisha, but also makes a friend in Kate, the star cheerleader. She is pulled toward Kate, who invites her to her house with her "cool" parents that are completely different than her own. However, Jess, Kate's best friend, whispers about her, because Sonia's clothes don't quite fit in and bringing her lunch is not cool. Sonia ignores Alisha's advances toward friendship, while also feeling her friendship with Sam slipping away.

Sonia's dad gets a new job and is sent to Hong Kong on business; yet, he never makes it there. He disappears and no one can find him, until her mom, finds him in a mental hospital. He sunk into a deeper depression and needs help. Sonia feels lost, alone and helpless. Her family is unraveling, her friendship with Kate is questionable and her bi-culture heritage is confusing. She struggles with trying to learn who she really is.