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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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:
Yes
I read this with my 2 youngest for their monthly book club at the library. I really enjoyed it and appreciated learning at the end that it was based on the authors actually childhood. There is a lot to talk about here (immigration, racism, bullying, friendship, family). It should be noted though that the author does use the word 'bastard' once toward the end which did surprise me.
"I wonder which is better - to have had something for a second and then have it taken away, or to have never had it at all."
"I wonder which is better - to have had something for a second and then have it taken away, or to have never had it at all."
Book started out well. The author definitely has an easy writing style. However as the book progressed it became clear this was anti-America propaganda for kids. Really sad coming from an author who seems to have had amazing opportunities in her life that’s doubtful she would have had if her parents hadn’t come to the states. I was hopeful this would be a good book for kids to talk about racism but instead it just highlighted the false liberal narrative that all white people are bad, all police officers are bigots and America is a strictly racist country. It needed to focus on that some people are indeed racist but just because some Americans are racist doesn’t mean everyone is. I usually donate books that I read to little free library‘s but I really don’t think this one should be shared out so I’ll be throwing it away.
Front Desk is really targeted to children - my 10 year old granddaughter enjoyed it a great deal - but I read it for a family book group and enjoyed it as well. It's loosely based on some of the difficult cross-cultural experiences the author had when she and her family emigrated from China to the United States. Yang also describes the character's experiences within her own family, showing some of the difficulties immigrant children may have even with their own parents. She must have been a remarkable child, as evidenced by her graduation from high school at age 13, and from law school at age 20. The experiences described in the book were both heartwarming and instructive.
It would be a good book to read with a child (or even teenager, though the main character is a ten-year-old) so that you could discuss certain contemporary issues with them along the way. Well worth the time.
It would be a good book to read with a child (or even teenager, though the main character is a ten-year-old) so that you could discuss certain contemporary issues with them along the way. Well worth the time.
This book was wonderful. It gave a brilliant insight into the lives of immigrants in America while still being a calming read. I was surprised to find out that a few of the events from the book were taken from the life of the author and fit perfectly into the story.
A young Chinese immigrant finds her voice and uses it to make a difference. This story is based on the author's own life, as detailed in the author's note. One of my favorites of 2018.
Front Desk gave strong insight into the experience of immigrants. Mia is a strong, independent character that students could be able to relate to. and Appropriate for year 3-6. There are strong themes including bullying, racism, socio-economic differences, immigration issues (documented and undocumented). There are symbols e.g. jeans that are woven in through the story which add to the robustness of plot.