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Front Desk

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Front Desk

By: Kelly Yang
Narrated by: Sunny Lu
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Buy for $18.00

Buy for $18.00

Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's Literature!

* "Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams? Asian & Pacific Islander Creators Growing Up & Facts of Life Asian American Literature & Fiction Family Life Growing Up Multicultural Stories Fiction

Featured Article: The top 100 kids books of all time


Listening to a story is the first way that we’re introduced to books as kids. And while our parents and grandparents (and babysitters and siblings!) are no doubt wonderful narrators who left indelible marks on our bookish hearts, the performances featured on this list elevate these stories to new heights. Representing listens for kids ages 0-12, and featuring animals, magical creatures, awkward middle schoolers, and more, our kids essentials will help you rediscover the magic of childhood.

Featured Article The top 100 kids books of all time
Immigrant Experience Portrayal • Powerful Life Lessons • Excellent Narration • Strong Protagonist • Diverse Representation

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This story is semi-autobiographical. It’s about a Chinese family that comes to America with very little money. They struggle to make a living running a motel. The characters are very realistic in their struggles and are very relatable. There are themes of poverty, diversity, and resilience. My favorite aspect of the book is in the main character’s struggle to fit in with her peers while already working at the motel and while being very poor. It takes a lot of resilience and wits to overcome her circumstances and she has a lot of both. This is a great book for 3rd-5th graders. There is a lot to be learned from the main character’s strength of character.

Wonderfully inclusive story

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I just love your book and I want to say that this book is my favorite and it was a great one. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great book to read.

Thank you Kelly Yang

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LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! It is so much fun and scary but that makes it even better

This book is amazing I love this book

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Very funny girl with her gentle family! I enjoyed listen to it! not only for children.

Good book!

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Amazing but there are some scary and sad parts and a little romance seen but overall it was amazing

Amazing but can be sad and scary

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