45 pages • 1 hour read
Kelly YangFront Desk
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Front Desk by Kelly Yang follows 10-year-old Mia Tang, a Chinese immigrant in 1990s California, as she helps her parents manage a motel in Anaheim and confronts the harsh realities of immigrant life, including exploitation and racial intolerance, while dreaming of owning a motel and improving her family's circumstances through her writing. The book addresses themes of discrimination and economic hardship.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Front Desk by Kelly Yang has been praised for its heartfelt portrayal of an immigrant family's struggles through the eyes of a young protagonist, Mia. Readers appreciate its themes of resilience, family bonds, and social justice. However, some critique the simplistic narrative style. Overall, the novel is considered inspiring and educational, making it a valuable read for middle-grade audiences.
Who Should Read Front Desk?
Readers who enjoy Front Desk by Kelly Yang are typically young adults interested in diverse, heartwarming narratives involving immigrant experiences and the quest for belonging. Fans of Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai will find a similar blend of resilience and cultural exploration appealing in this novel.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
640LBook Details
Chinese Literature
Realistic Fiction
Children's Literature
Asian Literature