Front Desk, Book 1
By Amanda Nojadera,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Immigrant kid tackles racism, bullying in powerful tale.
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Based on 7 parent reviews
Work At A Front Desk & Read Front Desk!
Excellent intro to the life of immigrants
What's the Story?
Mia Tang and her parents live and work at the Calivista Motel in Anaheim, California. While her parents spend all of their time cleaning the rooms, Mia has taken it upon herself to manage the FRONT DESK and ensure that their guests -- including the Chinese immigrants that her parents hide in the empty rooms -- enjoy their stay. As she adjusts to life at the motel and her new school, Mia starts to realize that life isn't easy for outsiders in America. Can she use her love of writing, even though English isn't her first language, to help her family, friends, and the immigrants pursue their dreams?
Is It Any Good?
Loosely based on Kelly Yang's experience growing up as an immigrant in America, this powerful, moving tale highlights the importance of tolerance and diversity, making it a must-read for kids. Front Desk takes place in the early '90s, but many of the heartbreaking stories mentioned in the book are still a reality for immigrants and minorities today.
Yang doesn't shy away from tough topics such as racism and poverty and manages to present them in a way that's easy for kids to understand. As Mia's grasp of the English language grows and she uses her love of writing to change people's lives, kids will see that you're never too young to fight for what's right and make a difference.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Front Desk deals with immigration, racism, poverty, bullying, and violence. How do these issues affect the characters?
Why do you think Kelly Yang decided to write a story that mirrors her own life? What kind of power do immigrant stories hold? Do you know the story of how -- and why -- your family, or your ancestors, came to America? What challenges did they face at the time? What's different today?
Talk about the various kinds of diversity in the novel. Why are diverse representations important in children's and young adult literature? Check out these books for more stories that promote tolerance and diversity.
How do the characters demonstrate kindness, compassion, communication, courage, and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author: Kelly Yang
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
- Publication date: May 29, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: March 18, 2021
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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Books with Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Characters
Kids' Books About the Immigrant Experience
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