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45 pages 1 hour read

Front Desk

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018

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Book Brief

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Kelly Yang

Front Desk

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

640L

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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.

Inspirational

Emotional

Heartwarming

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.6

43,630 ratings

88%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.6

43,630 ratings

88%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

California • 1990s

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

640L

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