1.96k reviews for:

Front Desk

Kelly Yang

4.42 AVERAGE

adventurous dark emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

MY REVIEW OF:  
FRONT DESK
By Kelly Yang
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This multiple-award winning middle grades novel had me from the start. I was not surprised to learn that the story comes from the author’s experiences as a young Chinese immigrant as some of her challenges are so unbelievable, they had to have happened!  Mia’s parents have taken a job managing a motel in Anaheim, CA, owned by a tyrant who also happens to be Chinese and who takes full advantage of their immigrant status. The Tang family lives in the motel and Mia, who has the best command of English, takes charge of the Front Desk. Their family harbors Chinese immigrants who are down on their luck.  Mia has a difficult year at school and at the motel, but she faces each challenge with courage, kindness and innovation.  She is a remarkable protagonist who will inspire readers of all ages!

Wonderful, wonderful story! I loved it. I can see why all my 5th grade students have been glued to this book. Lots of important topics and perspectives for kids to learn about
emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-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
challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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: Yes
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

When the Chinese immigrant Tang family take over the running of a motel, 10 year old Mia appoints herself front desk manager. Drawing on the author's own experiences, this is a charming and empowering story that gracefully tackles such topics as poverty, racism, oppression and exploitation. See my full review here.


"It was the most incredible feeling ever, knowing that something I wrote actually changed someone's life."

This is a great book, reflective of a diverse new American experience. Many areas of social injustice. I wished that this book was around when I was the target age for this book.

Fantastic story!!