How Unique Characters Can Teach Us About Ourselves and Each Other

Characters in the stories we read not only invite us into their world, they can also help us see our world with new eyes. When I wrote Full Cicada Moon, I wanted to write a story that my mixed-race husband and my children could see themselves starring in. My husband can’t remember reading any books when he was growing up that included characters who shared his heritage (his mom is Japanese and his dad is African American). My children, now 17, 19, and 21 years old, can recall only a few books they read as kids that included characters of color, and none with characters like themselves.

So, I wrote a story for them — and for kids like them — about a girl named Mimi Yoshiko Oliver who is 12 years old in 1969, whose father is African American and whose mother is Japanese, and whose family has moved to a mostly white town. Mimi also wants to be an astronaut and believes that people can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Her determination is stronger than her fears and she won’t accept “no” when she knows the right answer is “yes”.

Writing this story reminded me to always imagine how the world might look from another person’s viewpoint. I hope readers — kids and parents alike — can learn some of the lessons I learned about Mimi and her world:

There is no one exactly like you in this world, and everyone is unique. There never was and there never will be another person just like you. Mimi moves to a small town where no one looks like her, but she realizes she can still make it work. No matter whether you’re young or older, it’s an adventure to discover who you are and what you can do with your individuality.

Everyone feels left out at one time or another, but you can help them feel that they belong. When Mimi first moves to her new town and goes to her new school, she feels very different from the other kids. But Stacey and Timothy, who are also new kids, become her friends. Later, they all help another new kid feel welcome.

Don’t let obstacles stop you from making your dreams come true. Mimi wants to use the power tools at school so she can make her science project. When she’s told she can’t, she finds a different way to accomplish the task. Later, she tries to change the rules at school. Figuring out how to overcome obstacles will help you grow.

Find something you have in common with someone you think is different from you, and you’ll discover you’re not so different after all. Mimi and Stacey both like to skate and they have the same opinion about cooties, while Mimi and Timothy both like building things, cooking, and looking at the sky. They all look different and they all come from different places, but they find things they have in common and become good friends.

Being courageous isn’t the same as feeling fearless. Many people in Mimi’s story must do something difficult at some time. But Mimi has learned from her parents and two famous people that taking that first step — and then the next and the next — eventually helped them overcome their fears. When you have to do something that scares you, take one small step toward it, and then it won’t be as scary.

When people are grouchy or mean, it’s often because they’re in pain. Mr. Dell is definitely grouchy, and he scares Mimi. But eventually she understands why, and knows that even he can be kind. Don’t blame yourself for another person’s bad mood, but consider that there may be something hurting them inside.

Ask people to tell you about themselves, you’ll hear the most amazing stories ever. Just as Mimi’s mom and dad, her neighbors, friends, and teachers all have amazing stories to tell about their lives, so do the people you know. (And so do you!) Ask them to tell you their stories — you may be surprised by what you hear.

In many ways, the world has changed since Mimi Oliver was 12 years old in 1969, and in other ways it hasn’t changed much at all. The most important lesson Mimi taught me was to ask myself every day what I can do to make this world better for everyone.

Author Marilyn Hilton has published numerous short stories, poems, essays, and two previous children’s books. She lives with her husband and three children in Northern California.