Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. For starters, she lives in a motel—not a house. Every day, while her parents clean rooms, Mia runs the front desk of the Calivista Motel and helps hide immigrants who need a safe place to stay. Oh—and she dreams of being a writer, even though English isn’t her first language and she’s told she’ll never be good enough. Inspired by Kelly Yang’s real-life experiences, Front Desk is a powerful story about immigration, family resilience, and finding your voice. Mia’s grit and heart will inspire any reader who’s ever felt invisible—or who’s ever fought for something bigger than themselves. This award-winning novel is both eye-opening and full of hope, blending humor, injustice, and dreams that don’t back down. Perfect for readers who love: • Stories about immigrant families • Social justice themes in kid-friendly ways • Courageous, relatable heroines • Books that build empathy and critical thinking Keywords: middle grade fiction, immigration story, Chinese-American protagonist, front desk job, motel life, family struggle, standing up for others, cultural identity, bilingual student, realistic fiction for kids