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.