A review by sfbookgirl
Front Desk by Kelly Yang

dark informative inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Front Desk was put on my radar after a parent filed a complaint that the book should be taken out of a school’s curriculum because it was promoting racism. ??? Based on real-life experiences by author Kelly Yang, main character Mia Tang is a young immigrant who now lives in and helps to manage a motel with her family in the United States in order to make ends meet. Despite the fact that the book is intended for a younger audience, Front Desk is a heavier middle grade novel that examines racism, inequality, and poverty. 
 
I’m really glad I read Front Desk…and even more excited that there are two more books in the series! While depicting heavier topics, Front Desk is a great read for advanced middle grade readers looking to gain a greater awareness of racism and inequality through a fictional narrative.
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