Full Cicada Moon-A Bullet Point Book Review

I began listening to the podcast "What Should I Read Next" sometime in the last month or two. It is one of the two podcasts that I enjoy (though I'm anxiously awaiting my cousin Tami's, which I am sure will be smashing). It is fascinating to hear people's preferences and what makes them enjoy/not enjoy a book. Based on those things, I have a much better idea of books that might truly be a fit for me versus just browsing the library and hoping for the best. It's a really fun podcast.

But anyway, this is a book review, not a podcast review, so here I go!

I got the idea to read this book from the podcast, though I can't remember what was said about it that made me want to read it it. Here are the things that I loved about it:

• Quick read-very short chapters and streamlined use of language (read: not wordy, unlike yours truly)
• Story conveyed a quiet sense of hope in the face of many difficulties 
• Seeing cultural elements and currents events of the late 60's come alive in story form
• The strength and determination of the main character was inspiring
• The story grabbed my attention right away and held it all the way through
• It ends well

Summary:

• Genre: Realistic fiction 
• Main character: Mimi, a half-black, half-Japanese junior high student
• Setting: Vermont, 1969
• Plot: Mimi works to find her place after a move from California to Vermont, at a time and place where her dreams and identity are not quickly embraced.
• Themes: Moving, loneliness, civil disobedience, persistence, family, friendship, moon landing/outer space

Cautions/age recommendation:

• I encouraged my 9 year old to read this book. Some words may be tricky for her to decode, but she will be able to read and understand a good share of it. There was no swearing and no inclusion or discussion of anything 'adult-ish'.

If it sounds interesting and you have 10 minutes, give it a try! I told my kids to read the first 5 chapters, and if they weren't interested enough to finish, they could put it down. I think I was hooked from the first chapter or two, so I assume if someone gets to chapter five and isn't enjoying it, it's probably not a fit.

Happy reading!