Wingshooters by Nina Revoyr

Michelle is half Japanese, half white, and she lives with her grandparents in rural Wisconsin in the 1960s/70s. Michelle's mom left the family, and her dad went off in search her and, although he promises to return for Michelle, doesn't do that.

Racism is still alive, and Michelle is teased and bullied for being different. The teasing abates for awhile when an African-American couple moves to the town and they become everyone's target.

I really liked this book! It was well-written and very thoughtful. The racism is painful, and the ending is crushing, but this book ranks up as one of the best that I've read so far in 2012.