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.

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.

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.

Kelly Yang

Middle grade

Novel

Front Desk

Fiction

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Front Desk Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-12

Front Desk Chapters 1-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-26

Front Desk Chapters 13-26 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 27-40

Front Desk Chapters 27-40 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 41-53

Front Desk Chapters 41-53 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 54-67

Front Desk Chapters 54-67 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Front Desk Character Analysis

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Themes

Front Desk Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Front Desk Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Front Desk Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Front Desk Essay Topics

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Front Desk Quiz

Front Desk Further Reading & Resources

Front Desk

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