The Trouble with Half a Moon

The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780399251597.

Thirteen year old Dellie lives with the guilt that her little brothers death was her fault. Her mother cries all the time and because she wants Dellie to stay safe, she keeps her inside as much as she can. It doesnt matter that Dellie longs to go outside to be like other girls or that theres a boy she likes and he likes her too. All that matters to her mother is that shes safe at home. So, Dellie has no choice but to watch the world of her housing project through her second story window. Things start to change soon after new neighbors move in on the first floor. Trouble like this has never happened in Dellies building before. Now there are men fighting on the stoop, gunshots echoing through the night and Corey, a hungry and abused five year old boy knocking on her door looking for something to eat. Corey reminds Dellie of her brother and even though their friendship is dangerous, she wonders if this time, shell be able to do what needs to be done. Will she be able to save Corey?