Front Desk

"Based on Yang’s own experiences as a new immigrant to the U.S. from China in the 1990s, Front Desk is a perfectly rendered child’s-eye view of the perils and joys of that life. Sitting at the front desk of the Calvista Motel in Southern California, 10-year-old Mia Tang sees everything, from the big injustices (like how the motel owner bullies and scams her parents, who manage and clean the motel) to the small (like her mom’s conviction that Mia, as a non-native speaker, will never succeed as a writer), and often feels helpless in front of them. But by learning the value of her voice and refusing to compromise on kindness, Mia builds a community strong enough to bring change. (For ages 8 to 12)"