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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So good, soo funny and encouraging! Extremely eye opening! I truly appreciate this story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Loved this story. I was so surprised at the end to read that most of it was true! Mia is a great character and her adventures at the front desk kept me entertained, but I also learned a bit about Chinese history/culture in the process. The friendships she formed with the "weeklies" made me think of how people who have nothing often give the most. The community she created by being herself and sharing her talents was so heartwarming. This book sends a wonderful message to children about the power of living and telling your story and how the written word can sometimes move mountains. I highly recommend this book for children and adults alike!
I intended to read a bit before turning off the light and ended up reading the entire book. Our grade 5 students are about to start a unit on migration and I wish we already had a copy in our library collection.
Wow, this was an excellent book. It reminded me a lot of The Parker Inheritance in that they were both middle grade books that have an interesting story but also tackle racism with such honesty and in such an eye-opening and yet still age-appropriate way. It really opened my eyes to what Chinese immigrants faced in the 90's, and thus also helping me empathize with those who are still immigrating here today. Don't let the cartoonish cover fool you into thinking it's a light book without much content... it is well worth a read.
This is a personal narrative - something which is very popular right now. Authors tell what it was like when they were kids from the first person point of view. Many of these stories have been in the form of graphic novel...and this might be a great next step for kids who have finished those and are looking for another book 'like' them.
This is the story of a 10-year-old girl who has immigrated from China when she was 8. Her parents speak little English, but are extremely hard workers. They find a job as motel manager...but soon the motel owner starts to show his true colors. They find themselves in a difficult situation, where they are making barely enough money to survive. The story is about the girl, but I found the situation of the exploited parents and their worse off friends to be the true theme of this story.
I highly recommend this books to 4th graders and up.
So, if I highly recommend it, why not 5 stars?
[Spoiler] Because the ending is too perfect to be enjoyable. The main characters are going through all these hardships...and then in the end they make a plan, work the plan, and are rewarded with all sorts of good people doing the right thing. It is too unrealistic and unlikely - and the ending seems out of sorts with the rest of the books message. I still think it is a wonderful book for kids to read - and it may teach them more than the ending message.
This is the story of a 10-year-old girl who has immigrated from China when she was 8. Her parents speak little English, but are extremely hard workers. They find a job as motel manager...but soon the motel owner starts to show his true colors. They find themselves in a difficult situation, where they are making barely enough money to survive. The story is about the girl, but I found the situation of the exploited parents and their worse off friends to be the true theme of this story.
I highly recommend this books to 4th graders and up.
So, if I highly recommend it, why not 5 stars?
[Spoiler] Because the ending is too perfect to be enjoyable. The main characters are going through all these hardships...and then in the end they make a plan, work the plan, and are rewarded with all sorts of good people doing the right thing. It is too unrealistic and unlikely - and the ending seems out of sorts with the rest of the books message. I still think it is a wonderful book for kids to read - and it may teach them more than the ending message.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I have always, always, always been an advocate for books that champion that independence, fortitude, intelligence, and power of children. Kelly Yang has somehow done this flawlessly. I have confidence in our protagonist as a human being, both in her flaws and her powers. She's real - maybe because it's based on Yang's own childhood...but something about this story and it's choice to center the child as a conscious and participating member of society, navigating the joys and hardships and confusions and triumphs...it struck something so beautiful and magical in my heart. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series, if only to hear the amazing voice and imagine the kids who will get to read this, and the power they will feel knowing that there are and always will be authors who give them stories that trust them.