If you like Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan or Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai, you're going to love Front Desk by Kelly Yang! This novel is more than just a story about a young immigrant girl; it’s a testament to the power of courage, community, and standing up for what’s right. It’s a must-read for educators who want to bring real-world issues and culture into their classroom discussions in a meaningful way for students.
Fast Facts About the Book
Title: Front Desk
Author: Kelly Yang
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age Range: 8-12 years
Number of Pages: 286
Publication Year: 2018
Is this book part of a series? Yes
Themes: Immigrant Experience, Social Justice, Family, Friendship, Resilience
The main character, Mia, takes readers on a journey that identifies the struggles immigrants face in modern-day America and the importance of advocacy in our communities. I highly recommend reading this novel with students in grades 3-7 while fostering an inclusive and socially aware learning environment. #classroombookreviews
Novel Overview
Front Desk by Kelly Yang is a compelling middle-grade novel that tells the story of Mia Tang, a ten-year-old Chinese immigrant navigating life in America. Set in the early 1990s, the book explores themes of identity, family, and perseverance through the eyes of a young girl who helps her parents manage the Calivista Motel while also juggling the challenges of being a fifth-grader in a new country. Mia's family faces great discrimination and hardship while trying to make ends meet at their new job. The dream they had expected to find in America quickly turns into a nightmare. #frontdesk
Chasing Chapters: Plot Summary
Mia and her parents immigrated to the United States and are barely scraping by financially. They finally land a job managing a small motel, owned by the exploitative Mr. Yao. Mia, despite her young age, takes on the responsibility of running the front desk, helping guests, and acting as a translator for her parents. The story unfolds as Mia deals with racism, bullying, and the complexities of her parents’ immigrant experience, all while striving to pursue her own dreams of becoming a writer. #frontdeskkellyyang
Share Front Desk comprehension questions and 1-sentence summaries of every chapter with your class.
Educational Value
Front Desk is a valuable resource for classroom discussions about social justice, cultural diversity, and the immigrant experience. It offers an authentic depiction of the challenges faced by immigrant families, making it an excellent choice for lessons on empathy, resilience, and human rights. Your students will connect to the relatable characters and change the way they view others around them. The book provides a nuanced perspective on economic inequality and the struggle for fair treatment, both topics that can foster meaningful conversations in upper elementary and middle school literature circles. #culturalawareness
As an educator, Front Desk stands out for its ability to weave complex social issues into a narrative that is both engaging and age-appropriate. The book’s portrayal of Mia’s determination and the realities faced by immigrant families can inspire powerful lessons. The novel also encourages students to think critically about fairness, justice, and the American Dream. Be aware that some topics in this book are much deeper than some of your light-hearted classroom reads.
Classroom Activities to Try
Writing Prompt: Have students write about a time they faced a challenge or stood up for what they believed was right.
Discussion Questions:
What does the motel represent for Mia and her family?
How does Mia’s perspective on being different change throughout the story?
Describe the pennies Mia and her dad collect. What are they searching for? Why? Share how Mr. Tang’s metaphors for mistakes and opportunities is true in your life.
Lupe tells Mia you can’t tell people not to be prejudiced - you have to show them. How does Mia stand up for social justice? How do you?
Project: Create a class poster, video, or slideshow exploring the history and experiences of various immigrant groups in America. Interview individuals in the community to gain better insights.
Comparative Analysis: Challenge students to compare the experiences of main characters from other novels like Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan or Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai. You can develop a semester-long thematic unit searching for common themes and varied perspectives on migration, resilience, and cultural identity.
Extension Activity: Motel Math
Invite your students to try solving math problems similar to the ones Mia and Jason calculate in the motel. Project the following image on your classroom screen and find more extension activities in my Front Desk Novel Study Unit.
Make math come alive by inviting students to act out scenarios during class. Perhaps two students could pretend to be working in a motel. They can rearrange their desks in the classroom and create a quick sign advertising their establishment. Then, another student can walk in and make a request or ask a question. Imaginary play doesn't have to end with preschool graduation ceremonies! Some students in upper elementary classrooms come alive during role-playing activities. For those who are too shy to act in front of the class, encourage them to work out the math problems on their own paper and verify that the actors are sharing correct values.
Page-Turning Puzzles: Novel Trivia
How closely have you read the text in Kelly Yang's novel Front Desk? Can you remember tiny details to answer the trivia questions below? #noveltrivia
What does Mia save for Shen on the plane ride to America?
What year does this story take place?
What type of tea does Mia’s family save for special occasions?
What is the name of Mia’s Elementary School?
What is the name of Mia’s Elementary School?
Mia’s parents believe receiving this amount of money is good luck...
What is Jason’s dog’s name?
Find the answers to these trivia questions inside this Front Desk Novel Study resource.
Hear about this Front Desk Book Study from educators like you!
⭐️ “This resource is AMAZING! Differentiate in every way possible. I love the sample responses and my students love coloring the stickers to add to their collections.”
⭐️ “I love Front Desk and these worksheets were the perfect companion to the book. I can’t wait to purchase another novel study from MB Creations!”
⭐️ “I am blown away by this amazing resource! It is SO COMPLETE! I didn’t have to add anything extra. I printed the workbooks and assessments and we had an amazing book study.”
Use this Front Desk Novel Study in so many ways!
✅ Differentiate to meet the needs of all learners in your book club. Gifted students can complete projects about the novel as they read. Language learners can benefit from the character traits page with pictures and descriptions.
✅ Assign comprehension worksheets to students for homework. Have them take notes and come prepared to discuss this chapter book in class.
✅ Invite students to read Front Desk in small groups and complete these worksheets and discussion activities together.
Find answers to your questions about this Front Desk Book Study:
✋ What is Front Desk?
This realistic fictional chapter book, written by Kelly Yang, tells of a courageous girl who manages a motel in California and helps immigrants survive hard times. It is written for grades 3-7 with a Lexile level of 640.
✋ What exactly is included?
Check out the preview! The detailed table of contents can help answer your questions about this book study.
✋ Why should I use this resource?
2-in-1 deal: This resource includes pages specific to the book, Front Desk, as well as ALL the pages in my Novel Study for Any Book resource. Students will be able to write and discuss facts about the author, novel, plot, setting, characters, and theme. You can edit the projects and discussion pages on PowerPoint and assign all worksheets digitally if you choose. Students will have fun collecting stickers when they finish projects related to the book and you can grade all worksheets with the answer keys and sample responses! #novelstudyforanybook
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