De twaalfjarige Mimi is net verhuisd van Californië naar een klein stadje in Vermont. Het is 1969 en Mimi worstelt om erachter te komen waar ze thuishoort. Als het half-zwarte en half-Japanse nieuwe meisje op school dat astronaut wil worden, vraagt Mimi zich af of ze ooit gelukkig zal zijn in haar nieuwe stad, en of zij en haar familie ooit zullen worden geaccepteerd.
I'm so sorry, Mimi, I really want you to come. I know my mom would say no.
There are many examples of how Mimi and her parents choose kindness, even when it is difficult. One example of this is when they bring Thanksgiving dinner to Mr. Dell, even though he has treated the family poorly in the past.
Race is a very prominent theme in the story. One example is when Stacey doesn’t invite Mimi to her birthday party because her mother doesn’t approve of their friendship. There are many more examples of their race being a factor and the outward racism that Mimi and her parents face.