I have been in a reading slump and I blame this book! I loved it so much and read it quickly, enjoying the experience. I can't seem to find another book as good and therefore, I have been abandoning books all over the house. Read this book!
Front Desk is a about a girl named Mia Tang who is the 5th grade daughter of Chinese immigrants from the 1990's who manage a hotel in California. The owner of the hotel pays them poorly and has unreasonable demands. They keep the job because of few work options for them. This is how the owner keeps them working....by threatening that they can be replaced. Mia volunteers to work at the front desk so her parents can clean rooms. Although guests are surprised at her young age, she quickly shows that she is capable of tending to all their needs.
Throughout the story, you find out that many Chinese immigrants find their way to the Tang's hotel and they give them a few days of recovery after escaping some situations of danger or hardship. Mia helps one of the long term guests who gets into a police situation by using her writing skills and persuades others to do the right thing. The ending might be improbable but I loved it. Stranger things do happen when you are determined.
Front Desk is loosely based on the life story of Kelly Yang. She wrote this book for her children to let them know about her childhood experiences.
The TV comedy series, Fresh Off the Boat is another comparison which features a Chinese family assimilating into a Florida community.
I give this book a 5 out of 4 rating. It is great for grades 4-6.
Check out this book trailer!
- Print Length: 304 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (May 29, 2018)
- Publication Date: May 29, 2018
- Sold by: Scholastic Trade Publisher