Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Nojadera
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Immigrant kid tackles racism, bullying in powerful tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the book skillfully addresses serious topics such as racism and poverty through the relatable character of Mia Tang, making it an engaging read for kids aged 9 and up. Many reviewers appreciate the positive role models and moral lessons presented, while others highlight its informative value about immigrant experiences, although a few express concerns about the portrayals of cultural stereotypes and mild violence.
- sensitive topics
- relatable character
- positive role models
- educational value
- mild violence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Friendship
- 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, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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