The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante

Ever since her brother's death, Dellie's life has been quiet and sad. Her mother cries all the time and Dellie lives with the horrible guilt that the accident that killed her brother may have been all her fault.
But Dellie's world begins to change when new neighbors move into her housing project building. Suddenly men are fighting on the stoop and gunfire is soundEver since her brother's death, Dellie's life has been quiet and sad. Her mother cries all the time and Dellie lives with the horrible guilt that the accident that killed her brother may have been all her fault.
But Dellie's world begins to change when new neighbors move into her housing project building. Suddenly men are fighting on the stoop and gunfire is sounding off in the night. In the middle of all that trouble is Corey, an abused five-year-old boy, who's often left home alone and hungry. Dellie strikes up a dangerous friendship with this little boy who reminds her so much of her brother. She wonders if she can do for Corey what she couldn't do for her brother—save him.
Starkly and affectingly written, The Trouble with Half a Moon is a sparkling and memorable debut.





Intriguing story of how a grieving family, a neglected little boy and a neighbor help each other through the hard spots in each of their lives. 
Dellie is a young girl who lost her brother and feels like it's her fault. 
Her mother fears she'll lose Dellie too and doesn't allow her out of her sight or her dad's.
Dellie's dad is grieving too but he is dealing with it better.
The family is stuck until they take in and care for a young boy. Dellie is determined to take care of him better than her brother.
Heart-warming story!



Rating: PG
L: None
S: None
V: child abuse--child being hit by mother
Page 69 test:
"...and-white photo of two young girls, as though I had asked about them.
One of hte girls is arond thirteen and the other is younger, maybe seven The older girl is wearing a hat with long feathers sticking straight up. Bracelets travel all the way up her arm and her dress is long and puffy. I bet that one is Miss Shirley. the smaller girl is waering a plain dress with a bow around her waist and one in her hair.
The little girl in the picture is grinning ike she's trying to hold her laughter in. Almost like the person taking the picture was making a funny face or telling a joke. The older girl's smile is bold and wide. She's not trying to hide anyting.
"The one on the right is my only sister, Aggie. She was the youngest," Miss Shirley says. "God rest her soul. I miss her more than anyting." She sighs. "And theother is me. We used to have such a good time together, me and Aggie. We were best friends."
"You sister was pretty. I, uh, mean is pretty." I confuse myself. I guess she's dead, but I don't want it to sound like she isn't pretty anymore.
Miss Shirley laughs. "Yes, she was very pretty. She pints to another frame. The woman in it is nt ugly or pretty, just really old. "And this is my mother."
I look at the other pictures on the table. They're all old. I don't see any rosary beads or candles like in my house.
"This is all I have left of my people," Miss Shirley..."