Staff Pick
Ten-year-old Mia loves running the front desk at the hotel her parents manage while they clean the rooms. If the mean motel manager finds out about her parents letting immigrants stay in the empty motel rooms, everyone will be in big trouble, but Mia’s and her parents’ kindness makes it hard to say no to people in need. Perfect for ages nine and up! Recommended By Kim T., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Ten-year-old Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.
Number 1: She doesn't live in a big house with a puppy, like she tells everyone at school including her new best friend. She lives in the Calivista Motel, where she manages the front desk while her immigrant parents clean the rooms.
Number 2: To help their friends when they're down on their luck, her parents sometimes let them stay in the empty rooms...and if the mean motel owner Mr. Yao finds out, the Tangs will be fired and homeless.
Number 3: More than anything, Mia wants to be a writer in English. But how can she succeed when even her mom thinks Chinese kids should be best at math?
It will take all of Mia's pluck, kindness, and hard work to help her parents and friends at the motel, escape Mr. Yao, and share the truth about her life at last.
Synopsis
Mia 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?
Synopsis
Four starred reviews * "Many readers will recognize themselves or their neighbors in these pages." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Mia 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?
Synopsis
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 review
Mia 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?
Synopsis
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?