Room to dream

Book Cover
Average Rating
Series
Front desk volume 3
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Language
English

Description

New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang is back with another heartwarming and inspiring story of Mia and friends!

Mia Tang is going for her dreams!

After years of hard work, Mia Tang finally gets to go on vacation with her family -- to China! A total dream come true! Mia can't wait to see all her cousins and grandparents again, especially her cousin Shen. As she roams around Beijing, witnessing some of the big changes China's going through, Mia thinks about the changes in her own life, like . . .

1. Lupe's taking classes at the high school! And Mia's own plans to be a big writer are . . . stuck.

2. Something happened with Jason and Mia has no idea what to do about it.

3. New buildings are popping up all around the motel, and small businesses are disappearing.

Can the Calivista survive? Buckle up! Mia is more determined than ever to get through the turbulence, now that she finally has . . . room to dream!

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Also in this Series

  • Front desk (Front desk Volume 1) Cover
  • Three keys (Front desk Volume 2) Cover
  • Room to dream (Front desk Volume 3) Cover
  • Key player (Front desk Volume 4) Cover
  • Top story (Front desk Volume 5) Cover
  • Chef's Secret (Front Desk #6) (Front desk Volume 6) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Readers looking for character-driven series about immigrant experiences in America will enjoy meeting Amina and Mia (Front Desk). While Mia is more outgoing and Amina is shy, both girls support their families in the face of racism. -- NoveList Contributor
These series are issue-oriented reads that don't shy away from tough topics such as anti-Asian racism (Front Desk) and mass incarceration (Zoe Washington). Readers follow endearing girls of color as they navigate middle school, creative ambitions, and family business endeavors. -- Basia Wilson
These series follow the middle school adventures of likeable immigrant girls from Egypt (Magical Reality) and China (Front Desk). Magical Reality incorporates fantasy elements inspired by the main character's Egyptian heritage, while Front Desk is firmly planted in reality. -- Basia Wilson
The likeable girls of these character-driven series adjust to changes after relocating with family, sometimes facing discrimination due to race (Front Desk) or disability (Cactus). Front Desk is set in the 1990s, while Cactus has a contemporary setting. -- Basia Wilson
These series have the appeal factors moving, character-driven, and own voices, and they have the subjects "friendship," "east asian people," and "asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."
These series have the appeal factors own voices and first person narratives, and they have the theme "coming of age"; the subjects "east asian people," "asian people," and "chinese people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."
These series have the appeal factors own voices, and they have the genre "historical fiction"; the subjects "immigrants, chinese," "chinese people in the united states," and "east asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."
These series have the appeal factors angst-filled and own voices, and they have the subjects "east asian people," "asian people," and "chinese people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "likeable characters," "sympathetic characters," and "authentic characters."
These series have the appeal factors character-driven, and they have the themes "immigrant experiences" and "coming of age"; the genre "historical fiction"; the subjects "immigrant families" and "immigrants"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the subjects "east asian people," "asian people," and "chinese people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."
These books have the theme "being a friend"; the subjects "chinese people in the united states," "east asian people," and "asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "sympathetic characters" and "authentic characters."
These books have the themes "immigrant experiences" and "facing racism"; the subjects "motels," "immigrant families," and "eleven-year-old girls"; and include the identity "asian."
These books have the themes "immigrant experiences" and "facing racism"; the subjects "immigrant families," "child immigrants," and "east asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "authentic characters."
These books have the theme "immigrant experiences"; the subjects "immigrant families," "child immigrants," and "east asian people"; and include the identity "asian."
These books have the subjects "chinese people in the united states," "eleven-year-old girls," and "east asian people"; and include the identity "asian."
These books have the theme "immigrant experiences"; and the subjects "family vacations," "chinese people in the united states," and "immigrant families."
NoveList recommends "Zoe Washington stories" for fans of "Front desk". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Magical reality of Nadia" for fans of "Front desk". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Amina's voice" for fans of "Front desk". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Life of a cactus" for fans of "Front desk". Check out the first book in the series.
These poignant, thought-provoking own voices novels star relatable middle school girls dealing with serious issues. In China, Mei helps neighbors lacking access to food during the COVID-19 lockdown (Wuhan); Chinese American Mia fights back against gentrification in California (Room). -- NoveList Advisor

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Thanhha Lai and Kelly Yang write moving own voices books for older kids, usually about the challenges faced by immigrants. Both draw from their own experiences; Lai (who also writes teen books) fled Vietnam during the war, and Yang immigrated from China as a kid. -- Stephen Ashley
In their work for middle-grade readers, both Kelly Yang and Erin Entrada Kelly write quiet, introspective, and leisurely paced novels featuring Asian-American characters. Oftentimes, their shy characters face the challenge of making new friends and finding their voices. -- Sarah Bean Thompson
Ann M. Martin and Kelly Yang write realistic novels for middle graders that focus on family dynamics, making friends, and fitting in. Both award-winning authors also bring attention to social issues like racism. -- Linda Ludke
These authors' works have the subjects "east asian people," "chinese people," and "chinese americans."
These authors' works have the subjects "east asian people," "asian people," and "ten-year-old girls"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the subjects "immigrant families," "immigrants, chinese," and "east asian people."
These authors' works have the subjects "immigrant families," "chinese americans," and "chinese american families."
These authors' works have the subjects "immigrant families," "ten-year-old girls," and "chinese american children."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Chinese American Mia Tang returns in this entertaining, well-paced third installment in the beloved Front Desk series. Mia and her best friends, Lupe and Jason, are now in seventh grade and are each dealing with how to find their own path. Lupe is now taking advanced classes at the high school while Jason pursues his culinary passion. Mia, meanwhile, is trying to find her way as a writer--while also figuring out how to deal with an unwanted kiss from Jason. When she goes on a six-week trip to China with her parents and family friend Hank, they learn how much China and their family have changed. After returning to California, they are shocked to learn that their motel business is getting crushed by a huge, new, corporate-run motel next door. Mia must learn how to use her voice, both for herself and so she can stand up for small local businesses. Flawed, strong, and brave, Mia is a believable and relatable heroine. Yang sensitively presents issues like racism, consent, and gentrification in an accessible and engaging manner. An author's note, pointing out autobiographical aspects of the book and showcasing a sampling of early stories, add even more richness. While this is enjoyable on its own, the adventures of Mia and her family and friends are best treasured in series order. Highly recommended for all middle-grade collections.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Kirkus Book Review

A holiday in China reignites Mia's love of writing, while troubles with the Calivista Motel develop her journalism skills. Tackling complex issues of gentrification, corporate power, racism, and even an unwanted kiss, Chinese American seventh grader Mia Tang matures, exhibiting endearing resilience and advocating for herself and small businesses. The first third of the book explores the emotions and confusion of reuniting with family back in Beijing. Many immigrant children will recognize the awkwardness Mia feels both in America and also in her country of birth: "At school I wasn't white enough. Here I wasn't Chinese enough." Mia finds a solution--using her talent with words to write a column in a Chinese children's newspaper. The concept of saving face is introduced, as Mia's parents are mortified by the personal information she shares in her weekly column. When the Tangs return home, there is trouble for the Calivista Motel. What Mia saw happening in Beijing--small mom-and-pop shops being forced out of business--is also happening in California. Can an independent business win a fight with a big corporation? The livelihood of the whole Calivista community hangs in the balance. The complex and realistic relationships Mia has with Lupe and Jason show these friends developing into an interesting and talented trio. The author's note, including writing and photos from Yang's youth, shares the remarkable autobiographical details. Fans of this series that keeps going strong will devour this latest entry. (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Chinese American Mia Tang returns in this entertaining, well-paced third installment in the beloved Front Desk series. Mia and her best friends, Lupe and Jason, are now in seventh grade and are each dealing with how to find their own path. Lupe is now taking advanced classes at the high school while Jason pursues his culinary passion. Mia, meanwhile, is trying to find her way as a writer—while also figuring out how to deal with an unwanted kiss from Jason. When she goes on a six-week trip to China with her parents and family friend Hank, they learn how much China and their family have changed. After returning to California, they are shocked to learn that their motel business is getting crushed by a huge, new, corporate-run motel next door. Mia must learn how to use her voice, both for herself and so she can stand up for small local businesses. Flawed, strong, and brave, Mia is a believable and relatable heroine. Yang sensitively presents issues like racism, consent, and gentrification in an accessible and engaging manner. An author's note, pointing out autobiographical aspects of the book and showcasing a sampling of early stories, add even more richness. While this is enjoyable on its own, the adventures of Mia and her family and friends are best treasured in series order. Highly recommended for all middle-grade collections. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.
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