Front Desk [Hardcover]

Four starred reviews and over ten best-of-year lists!* Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's Literature!* Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewMia Tang has a lot of secrets.Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?Awards and Praise forFront Desk:Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's LiteratureParents' Choice Gold Medal Fiction Award WinnerNPR Best Books of the YearKirkus Reviews Best Books of the YearPublishers Weekly Best Books of the YearWashington Post Best Books of the YearAmazon Best Books of the YearSchool Library Journal Best Books of the YearBookpage Best Books of the YearNew York Public Library Best Books of the YearChicago Public Library Best Books of the YearTop Ten Debut Novels 2018 - ALA Booklist* Debut author Yang weaves in autobiographical content while creating a feisty and empowered heroine. The supporting characters are rich in voice and context, with multiple villains and frlC'