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Front Desk #3
Room to Dream
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!
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!
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2021
517 people are currently reading
6279 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Yang
30 books2,437 followersKelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the FRONT DESK series, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature. Her books include FRONT DESK, THREE KEYS, ROOM TO DREAM, PARACHUTES, NEW FROM HERE, and other middle grade and young adult novels. She was born in China and grew up in Los Angeles. She went to college at the age of 13 and graduated from UC Berkeley at the age of 17 and Harvard Law School at the age of 20. After law school, she founded The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and debating program for children in Asia. Prior to becoming a novelist, she wrote for many years for the South China Morning Post, The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Atlantic. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 566 reviews
September 9, 2021
This new chapter in the Front Desk series is a reminder of the power of words. When Mia and her family visit family in China, she begins writing a column for a middle school newspaper. As she journals and sends in her entries the editor encourages her to emphasize the drama. Fan mail begins to come in reminding Mia of how much she has shared with people she has never met. Back at home the Calivista is threatened by a mega hotel that has been built across the street. They are using ads and other ploys to build up business while taking away the livelihood of Mia's family and investors. A visit to the Anaheim paper educates Mia on the rules of journalistic integrity (many of which she has broken) and also the possibilities of using articles to help their hotel and other struggling indies. It is a war of words that costs nothing, but can mean everything. I loved the great relationship we see between Mia and her parents. There are also some great friendship lessons as Mia works on her craft alongside Lupe and Jason. With both favorite characters from the previous books, new ones that we meet for the first time, and few bad eggs this is a fantastic addition to the series.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Scholastic Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2021
If you know anything about me then you know that I'm an extremely huge fan of Kelly Yang and everything that she writes. I fell in love with Front Desk the moment I read it and haven't looked back since. I was extremely excited to pick up this third installment in the series and reconnect with all of the characters.
Room to Dream picks up where the second book leaves readers except there are quite a few elements that have changed. Lupe is taking classes at the high school so there are interesting changes in her relationship with Mia; the hotel is doing great until bigger businesses begin to encroach on small businesses in the community; and Mia finally has the opportunity to go back to China to visit her family. There is a focus on Mia's writing which is great considering that reader's find that this is her passion early on in the series. It was great understanding the dynamics of Mia's family especially when she goes to visit China. While it is her home, she finds that a lot of things have changed and/or persisted that make her feel uncomfortable including blatant racism, colorism, sexism, and classicism. I appreciated Yang's dedication to showing the internalized racism that can exist within the confines in a community.
One of the things that I appreciate about Yang is that she tackles issues head on in a way that is appropriate for a middle grade audience. Her books are stories of triumph; however, her characters do face challenges. While I enjoyed Room to Dream I do feel like this installment in the series attempted to cover too many topics at one time. It would have been great if this book solely focused on one or two issues that would have been important to the characters; however, readers are put in a position where there learning about racism, colorism, the impact of big businesses on small businesses, consent, the danger of words, the growth and deterioration of friendship, the complex feelings associated with immigrants who return home, familial expectations, etc. It was a little too much and it prevented Kelly from being able to fully develop any one issue that would inspire growth in her characters.
Nevertheless, it was amazing seeing Mia be able to really get a great grasp on her love for journalism and writing. While she learns some extremely important lessons along the way, it was nice to see her grow in that area. It was great seeing all of the old characters in the series as well as all of the new characters. The pacing was great as was the writing. I don't know if there are going to be more books in the series, but I do plan to pick them up. If you haven't given the Front Desk series a read yet, I definitely recommend that you check them out!
Room to Dream picks up where the second book leaves readers except there are quite a few elements that have changed. Lupe is taking classes at the high school so there are interesting changes in her relationship with Mia; the hotel is doing great until bigger businesses begin to encroach on small businesses in the community; and Mia finally has the opportunity to go back to China to visit her family. There is a focus on Mia's writing which is great considering that reader's find that this is her passion early on in the series. It was great understanding the dynamics of Mia's family especially when she goes to visit China. While it is her home, she finds that a lot of things have changed and/or persisted that make her feel uncomfortable including blatant racism, colorism, sexism, and classicism. I appreciated Yang's dedication to showing the internalized racism that can exist within the confines in a community.
One of the things that I appreciate about Yang is that she tackles issues head on in a way that is appropriate for a middle grade audience. Her books are stories of triumph; however, her characters do face challenges. While I enjoyed Room to Dream I do feel like this installment in the series attempted to cover too many topics at one time. It would have been great if this book solely focused on one or two issues that would have been important to the characters; however, readers are put in a position where there learning about racism, colorism, the impact of big businesses on small businesses, consent, the danger of words, the growth and deterioration of friendship, the complex feelings associated with immigrants who return home, familial expectations, etc. It was a little too much and it prevented Kelly from being able to fully develop any one issue that would inspire growth in her characters.
Nevertheless, it was amazing seeing Mia be able to really get a great grasp on her love for journalism and writing. While she learns some extremely important lessons along the way, it was nice to see her grow in that area. It was great seeing all of the old characters in the series as well as all of the new characters. The pacing was great as was the writing. I don't know if there are going to be more books in the series, but I do plan to pick them up. If you haven't given the Front Desk series a read yet, I definitely recommend that you check them out!
April 12, 2021
Following Mia's life has been one of the most fun adventures in the last couple of years. Mia's life, so much influenced by author Kelly's own life, is phenomenal. Kelly's writing hooks you in and connects to students SO much. I can't wait for my students to get their hands on Room to Dream in September. Next year I will be teaching Front Desk to my 6th grade students and then continuing on with the series.
Room to Dream themes: following your dreams, using your voice, accepting change, growing up, maturing, understanding others, selflessness, and family.
So impressed with Room to Dream, it's always so hard to follow your stories, but these keep getting better and better.
Room to Dream themes: following your dreams, using your voice, accepting change, growing up, maturing, understanding others, selflessness, and family.
So impressed with Room to Dream, it's always so hard to follow your stories, but these keep getting better and better.
January 15, 2022
This was a book I started on audio, but the Playaway I was using had so many issues, I gave up and just read the book. The narrator was the same as the previous two books and I liked her narration, so that wasn't the issue. Regardless it was a quick read and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous two. In this one, Mia goes back to China on vacation to see her family that she left behind five years ago. While she immediately loves seeing everybody, she is also sad to see that some of the things that are happening in California are also happening in China, all in the name of progress. While wealth is flowing into both places, it is not universal, and many people are being left behind, or rather pushed out. Rent is going up as big money takes over and most of the individual businesses are being forced to sell out. At the same time, Mia is having growing pains with her two best friends, Lupe and Jason (who began as her greatest enemy) and she's working out her feelings through writing. While this story is fictional, the author incorporates many of her own experiences into this story, including being a young writer and growing up in a motel when she first came to the states. There is so much to love about this series and I highly recommend it.
August 5, 2022
Kelly Yang is, without a doubt, one of the strongest writers in middle grade right now. This series is beautifully written, filled with compassion, life and characters who have totally burrowed their way into my heart. This instalment of this series was just as wonderful as the previous two. Yang explored topics such as colourism, poverty, consent, bullying, gentrification and racism with sensitivity, guidance and honesty, in a way that was both educational and accessible for its target audience (and older readers alike.) I truly couldn't recommend this series more highly and I hope this is a series that continues for a while longer.
TW: racism, colourism, bullying
TW: racism, colourism, bullying
July 27, 2021
So excited to have Mia Tang back in the THIRD book by @kellyyanghk
In ROOM TO DREAM Mia and her mom & dad go back to China to visit family. Mia realizes so much has changed. When she gets home after a month, she sees changes in Anaheim, her friendships, and her writing. This 3rd story brought all the things I love about Mia and her family together and was a beautiful conclusion.
Thank you @scholasticinc for sharing an #advancedreaderscopy with #bookexcursion 📖
In ROOM TO DREAM Mia and her mom & dad go back to China to visit family. Mia realizes so much has changed. When she gets home after a month, she sees changes in Anaheim, her friendships, and her writing. This 3rd story brought all the things I love about Mia and her family together and was a beautiful conclusion.
Thank you @scholasticinc for sharing an #advancedreaderscopy with #bookexcursion 📖
March 16, 2021
I like this third book even more than the second! Yang raises more complex issues in the third installment of Mia's story, but Mia, her friends, and family work through it all with their unfailing determination.
January 23, 2022
Aw I just love Mia so much, truly a top-tier middle grade narrator. I loved reading that this was partly based on the author's life--like truthfully when Mia got the column in the China Kids Gazette so quickly I thought it was a little over the top but in a way that I'm willing to forgive in fiction, but apparently it happened pretty much just like that for Kelly Yang when she visited China as a kid. Good for Kelly and for Mia!
Anyway I just think all of these books are so good at showing the ways big picture problems such as immigration laws and capitalism affect kids and showing both that they are basically insurmountable AND YET finding basically plausible ways for kid-led community action to actually have an impact and I just think that's so important! Front Desk #4 Mia Overthrows The Government! FUCK THEM UP, MIA
Anyway I just think all of these books are so good at showing the ways big picture problems such as immigration laws and capitalism affect kids and showing both that they are basically insurmountable AND YET finding basically plausible ways for kid-led community action to actually have an impact and I just think that's so important! Front Desk #4 Mia Overthrows The Government! FUCK THEM UP, MIA
November 24, 2021
I BELIEVE IN MIA TANG SUPREMACY!!
Considerando os três livros lançados da série, acho que Room to Dream é o segundo melhor até então, só perdendo pra Front Desk que não tem uma vírgula sequer de defeito (mas convenhamos, NENHUM dos três têm defeitos). Amei demais a abordagem social que ela deu nesse volume (eu sempre acho que ela talvez não consiga inovar, e eu SEMPRE pago a língua). Kelly Yang, por favor escreva a história da Mia até seus 87 anos, obrigado.
Considerando os três livros lançados da série, acho que Room to Dream é o segundo melhor até então, só perdendo pra Front Desk que não tem uma vírgula sequer de defeito (mas convenhamos, NENHUM dos três têm defeitos). Amei demais a abordagem social que ela deu nesse volume (eu sempre acho que ela talvez não consiga inovar, e eu SEMPRE pago a língua). Kelly Yang, por favor escreva a história da Mia até seus 87 anos, obrigado.
April 30, 2022
Just as great as the two books before it!
June 15, 2021
Another fantastic book in the Front Desk series! In this one, Mia and her parents are finally going back to China for an extended visit to see their family. (They even bring Hank along!) But the China they return to is nothing like the China left. The rest of the family seems to have done exceptionally well financially, while Mia's parents continue to struggle with their motel. And it isn't getting any easier, as a huge conglomeration is trying to put them out of business. Can Mia save the motel yet again? Or will she lose her friends in the process? Give this to fans of the series. It makes the most sense to read them in order. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
January 5, 2022
I am beyond in love with this series and these characters. Mia is such an incredibly lovable narrator and all of the other characters in this world are so endearing as well. This is one of the best middle grade series I’ve ever read and I’m so glad that these books exist!
June 22, 2023
Traduction française reçue en service de presse. Merci ❤️
Le troisième tome de la série Motel Calivista est à la hauteur des deux autres. C’est une série à recommander aux 10-12 ans. Mon coup de cœur de 2023.
Le troisième tome de la série Motel Calivista est à la hauteur des deux autres. C’est une série à recommander aux 10-12 ans. Mon coup de cœur de 2023.
Read
September 16, 2021This new chapter in the Front Desk series is a reminder of the power of words. When Mia and her family visit family in China, she begins writing a column for a middle school newspaper. As she journals and sends in her entries the editor encourages her to emphasize the drama. Fan mail begins to come in reminding Mia of how much she has shared with people she has never met. Back at home the Calivista is threatened by a mega hotel that has been built across the street. They are using ads and other ploys to build up business while taking away the livelihood of Mia's family and investors. A visit to the Anaheim paper educates Mia on the rules of journalistic integrity (many of which she has broken) and also the possibilities of using articles to help their hotel and other struggling indies. It is a war of words that costs nothing, but can mean everything. I loved the great relationship we see between Mia and her parents. There are also some great friendship lessons as Mia works on her craft alongside Lupe and Jason. With both favorite characters from the previous books, new ones that we meet for the first time, and few bad eggs this is a fantastic addition to the series. * Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge *
June 14, 2021
Kelly Yang knocked another one out of the ballpark! Mia, Lupe, and Jason are in 7th grade now and each is finding her/his path. Mia continues to grow as a writer, Lupe is in accelerated math and English classes, and Jason learns to follow his heart as a chef. A trip back to China shows Mia how much things have changed there, and things are changing in Anaheim as well. Mia uses her voice to help save the Calavista while shedding light on the importance of saving all kinds of small local independent businesses. This is another book that will prompt great discussions about racism, bias, and social justice.
Thank you, Scholastic, for the ARC!
Thank you, Scholastic, for the ARC!
April 3, 2021
I love this book just as I did the first two. I had told a few kids at school that I was starting it and they are eager to hear my review this week. I love Mia as a character. She is strong and brave but real enough to show her fears and shortcomings. Her relationships are not perfect but resemble those in real life. I look forward to adding copies to our library as the students will be waiting to church them out!
Digital review copy from Edelweiss+.
Digital review copy from Edelweiss+.
December 28, 2021
CWs
: instances of racism, some anti-Blackness, colorism, classism, sexism, and brief descriptions of bullying
December 16, 2022
When her family goes back to China to visit, Mia sees that China is changing a lot and parts of it that she loved are beginning to disappear. When they come back home, she sees the same things happening in her neighborhood- local shops are being replaced with chains, the neighboring hotels have merged into a mega hotel, and a corporation has offered to buy out the Calavista. With all of the changes going on, Mia also has some struggled with her friends Lupe and Jason.
Kelly Yang goes it again. She has created another believable and heartfelt story about Mia, her family, and friends. She once again addresses racism, this time more centered on Hank and his experience when he goes with her family to visit China and against Jason's cooking style. She also directly addresses gentrification and its impact on local communities. A smaller subplot also revolved around consent- Mia is kissed against her will by Jason and both of them struggle to deal with its impact on their friendship. I love that Yang doesn't hesitate to confront difficult issues in a gentle, relatable way for middle grade readers. It's part of why I keep coming back to her.
Kelly Yang goes it again. She has created another believable and heartfelt story about Mia, her family, and friends. She once again addresses racism, this time more centered on Hank and his experience when he goes with her family to visit China and against Jason's cooking style. She also directly addresses gentrification and its impact on local communities. A smaller subplot also revolved around consent- Mia is kissed against her will by Jason and both of them struggle to deal with its impact on their friendship. I love that Yang doesn't hesitate to confront difficult issues in a gentle, relatable way for middle grade readers. It's part of why I keep coming back to her.
May 24, 2022
The author continues touching on themes of discrimination. I find her character preachy at times. I struggled a bit with the journalism and trip to China. The incidents are fun but unlikely and communication is much harder than portrayed, not to mention overseas payments. These are minor issues. The main character deals with crushes and rejection and in the middle of the plot there is a trip to China. I think the umbrella for the character arc is learning to be a writer. Students love the drama with the relationships and one of the characters wrestles with anger management issues.
October 30, 2021
I am not usually a reader of series--too many books, so little time-I want to explore different books. BUT I make an exception for Kelly Yang's "Front Desk" series. Mia Tang and the gang are such rich, real characters. I adore them! ROOM TO DREAM (the 3rd in the series) may well be my favorite yet. A trip to China! Mia's hotel is losing business to the giant, chain hotel next door--can they survive? An unwanted kiss! Mia gets published! The plot is fast-paced and woven together beautifully. And speaking of beautiful, Yang's writing is "simply" beautiful--just as the writing of her main character, Mia. Themes of discrimination, David-vs-Goliath, being true to oneself are explored in meaningful, but non-heavy-handed ways. Bravo!
June 25, 2024
As always, Mia rallys her friends and family to make the world a better place! All the while being an idealistic middle schooler. She gets it done with carefully chosen words and steadfast school buddies, her motel friends, and nuggets of wisdom from her teachers.
December 10, 2023
I think I might like this one even more than the first two? I'm in awe of how good of a middle grade series this is.
November 13, 2021
the author's notes in these books are so good. read please!
October 19, 2021
I adore this entire series.
October 8, 2021
I was so happy to see that another Front Desk book is out, and Mia is still a wonderful main character. However, I was a bit disappointed by this one (I have high expectations for these books) because its plot and character development did not seem as strong as the previous books. Instead, it seemed more message-driven, to the point where it started to get redundant.
May 20, 2024
É surreal a quantidade de vezes que eu segurei o choro no meio do ônibus lendo este.
August 25, 2023
Hello, my dear fellow bookworms! I bring to you another review from another amazing Kelly Yang novel! Guys, this author is literally my favorite now lol :D Well, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this lovely review <3
Rating: 5.0
Summary: In the third novel of the Front Desk series, Mia is back for another amazing adventure! This time, Mia has to endure a lot of change: Lupe is taking classes at the local high school and Mia is afraid they won't be able to spend time together anymore; Mia's family, and Hank, take a vacation to China but it's changed tremendously since the five years she's been gone and the Calivista's competitors, the Topaz and the Lagoon, are being constructed into a mega motel owned by an unfair chain called Mega Magna Hotels! Jason is acting really weird and Mia has to learn what it means to be a journalist, the hard way. But, even though she has all of this on her plate; the one good thing that she's had from the start, is room to dream. :)
What I Loved About This Book
1). China : I loved Mia's trip to China! It was amazing and the differences in the economy and changes in Mia's family felt so real , it was also really cool experiencing the culture through Mia's eyes!
2). Mia's Writing : I would say, Mia's writing has improved phenomenally since the first book and I loved everything about her new >.
3). The Feelings : The thing I love about Kelly Yang's novels are that she always bases her stories off of her own life; and the more I read her novels, the more I feel closer to Yang. And, I also love how real the book feels, all the way through! I can literally just slip into Mia's skin and when I snap back into reality, I'm completely disoriented lol!
4). I liked how Kelly Yang included the part where to show that it is good to talk to kids about consent and how to give kids the "right tools" to help them advocate against being assaulted.
5). Basically everything! I loved the characters, all the scenes, all the quotes, all the morals and the lessons learned. All the triumphs and the heartbreaks, all the smiles and the tears; the whole book series is dear to my heart and I deeply enjoyed reading this book! Plus, it inspired me to continue to pursue my own writing dreams <3
What I Didn't Like About The Book
1). Mia's Character : During the part of the story where Lupe has to go to her high school classes and Mia is afraid they'll stop spending time together, then . I could really actually see how selfish Mia was being, and how bad of a friend she was. And, the sad thing was that Mia was blinded to her own wrongdoings when all Lupe was doing was trying to show the world how amazing she could be and Mia just couldn't be happy for her. But, I also loved this part of the story because Mia was going to learn her lesson, the hard way might I add, and she finally saw the truth for what it was, when the time came!
The Characters
1). Mia: As always, this character is a wonderful protagonist and it is so easy to slip into her skin and journey with her on her adventures! I really can't wait to read the fourth book and see how Mia uses her resourcefulness and perseverance to solve and fight against any problem that comes in her way :D
2). Lupe: Lupe is a really good character! At first, Mia was very mad at her because she was taking high school classes and didn't really come to the middle school anymore. It was amazing, though, seeing how Mia and Lupe made up; and how they could push past the bad things that Mia had done to hurt Lupe (accidentally, of course)!
3). Jason: I like this character; it was amazing seeing how much he cared for his friends but it was kind of sad when he was rejected by Mia and it wasn't appropriate for him to but it's good for children to know that these things happen and what to do when they can happen to them. I also loved how good Jason is at cooking and how he could stand up for his culture through his culinary skills! It was really cool, also, seeing how he handled his impulsive issues and how he apologized for his lack of self-control, in many scenes.
4). Dad: I love Mia's dad! He's an amazing, hardworking character that cares about his family and friends more than himself. His determination and his fierce love for his people is incredible, and his qualities are such a good example to Mia and her mother :)
5). Mom: It was amazing seeing how far Mia's mom had come from scrubbing down the different motel rooms to ! It was also heartwarming seeing how much Mia's dad wanted to celebrate Mia's mother's achievements by going out on dates or even tremendously sacrificing so they could all have a house with a picket white fence; but Mia's mom really only wanted her husband by her side and would ditch the picket white fence in a heartbeat! That's an incredible love to see between parents and it's also so refreshing because not all children's parents are divorced (mine weren't and they've been married for a long, amazing time <3 )
6). Hank: I love this character!! He's amazing and maybe secretly one of my favorites! The way he represents the African American culture and anybody who's been through what he has been through, is phenomenal and I just love the relationship he has with Mia (I'm still trying to see if he's more like a big brother or a dad to her tho lol)! It's just amazing, and everything that Hank does is gold :D
Content Overview
1). Profanity: I was surprised! There were absolutely no cuss words in this book, which is great compared to the first novel in this series!! There are only the occasional insults and some people called Mia " qing fu " (boy-crazy).
2). Sexual Content: Mia has to use the bathroom in China so she tries to use the squat-let but she ends up falling inside and gets poop all over her; in the end, Shen has to help her out but I don't think she had the time to pull her pants down so nothing bad, imo! One boy kisses another girl (on the lips, but quickly) without her consent, and she's absolutely disgusted and almost stops being his friend (this scene is discussed a lot in the story). There is a dance and one of the female characters says she may have a crush on one of her students, but she eventually finds out that . Mentions of dates
3). Violent/Frightening Scenes: There isn't any violence, but some scenes or situations can be considered slightly frightening or intense!
Special Shout-Out
I'm, personally, so excited to possibly read some of the books in the Bookmarked groups theme! I think it's going to be amazing, and the books that the group are picking are phenomenal <3
I hope everyone is enjoying their day so far! Happy reading, Goodreads community, and I can't wait to write more reviews for you all! Love you guys bunches and bunches 🍌
- Genie 😎
Rating: 5.0
Summary: In the third novel of the Front Desk series, Mia is back for another amazing adventure! This time, Mia has to endure a lot of change: Lupe is taking classes at the local high school and Mia is afraid they won't be able to spend time together anymore; Mia's family, and Hank, take a vacation to China but it's changed tremendously since the five years she's been gone and the Calivista's competitors, the Topaz and the Lagoon, are being constructed into a mega motel owned by an unfair chain called Mega Magna Hotels! Jason is acting really weird and Mia has to learn what it means to be a journalist, the hard way. But, even though she has all of this on her plate; the one good thing that she's had from the start, is room to dream. :)
What I Loved About This Book
1). China : I loved Mia's trip to China! It was amazing and the differences in the economy and changes in Mia's family felt so real , it was also really cool experiencing the culture through Mia's eyes!
2). Mia's Writing : I would say, Mia's writing has improved phenomenally since the first book and I loved everything about her new >.
3). The Feelings : The thing I love about Kelly Yang's novels are that she always bases her stories off of her own life; and the more I read her novels, the more I feel closer to Yang. And, I also love how real the book feels, all the way through! I can literally just slip into Mia's skin and when I snap back into reality, I'm completely disoriented lol!
4). I liked how Kelly Yang included the part where to show that it is good to talk to kids about consent and how to give kids the "right tools" to help them advocate against being assaulted.
5). Basically everything! I loved the characters, all the scenes, all the quotes, all the morals and the lessons learned. All the triumphs and the heartbreaks, all the smiles and the tears; the whole book series is dear to my heart and I deeply enjoyed reading this book! Plus, it inspired me to continue to pursue my own writing dreams <3
What I Didn't Like About The Book
1). Mia's Character : During the part of the story where Lupe has to go to her high school classes and Mia is afraid they'll stop spending time together, then . I could really actually see how selfish Mia was being, and how bad of a friend she was. And, the sad thing was that Mia was blinded to her own wrongdoings when all Lupe was doing was trying to show the world how amazing she could be and Mia just couldn't be happy for her. But, I also loved this part of the story because Mia was going to learn her lesson, the hard way might I add, and she finally saw the truth for what it was, when the time came!
The Characters
1). Mia: As always, this character is a wonderful protagonist and it is so easy to slip into her skin and journey with her on her adventures! I really can't wait to read the fourth book and see how Mia uses her resourcefulness and perseverance to solve and fight against any problem that comes in her way :D
2). Lupe: Lupe is a really good character! At first, Mia was very mad at her because she was taking high school classes and didn't really come to the middle school anymore. It was amazing, though, seeing how Mia and Lupe made up; and how they could push past the bad things that Mia had done to hurt Lupe (accidentally, of course)!
3). Jason: I like this character; it was amazing seeing how much he cared for his friends but it was kind of sad when he was rejected by Mia and it wasn't appropriate for him to but it's good for children to know that these things happen and what to do when they can happen to them. I also loved how good Jason is at cooking and how he could stand up for his culture through his culinary skills! It was really cool, also, seeing how he handled his impulsive issues and how he apologized for his lack of self-control, in many scenes.
4). Dad: I love Mia's dad! He's an amazing, hardworking character that cares about his family and friends more than himself. His determination and his fierce love for his people is incredible, and his qualities are such a good example to Mia and her mother :)
5). Mom: It was amazing seeing how far Mia's mom had come from scrubbing down the different motel rooms to ! It was also heartwarming seeing how much Mia's dad wanted to celebrate Mia's mother's achievements by going out on dates or even tremendously sacrificing so they could all have a house with a picket white fence; but Mia's mom really only wanted her husband by her side and would ditch the picket white fence in a heartbeat! That's an incredible love to see between parents and it's also so refreshing because not all children's parents are divorced (mine weren't and they've been married for a long, amazing time <3 )
6). Hank: I love this character!! He's amazing and maybe secretly one of my favorites! The way he represents the African American culture and anybody who's been through what he has been through, is phenomenal and I just love the relationship he has with Mia (I'm still trying to see if he's more like a big brother or a dad to her tho lol)! It's just amazing, and everything that Hank does is gold :D
Content Overview
1). Profanity: I was surprised! There were absolutely no cuss words in this book, which is great compared to the first novel in this series!! There are only the occasional insults and some people called Mia " qing fu " (boy-crazy).
2). Sexual Content: Mia has to use the bathroom in China so she tries to use the squat-let but she ends up falling inside and gets poop all over her; in the end, Shen has to help her out but I don't think she had the time to pull her pants down so nothing bad, imo! One boy kisses another girl (on the lips, but quickly) without her consent, and she's absolutely disgusted and almost stops being his friend (this scene is discussed a lot in the story). There is a dance and one of the female characters says she may have a crush on one of her students, but she eventually finds out that . Mentions of dates
3). Violent/Frightening Scenes: There isn't any violence, but some scenes or situations can be considered slightly frightening or intense!
Special Shout-Out
I'm, personally, so excited to possibly read some of the books in the Bookmarked groups theme! I think it's going to be amazing, and the books that the group are picking are phenomenal <3
I hope everyone is enjoying their day so far! Happy reading, Goodreads community, and I can't wait to write more reviews for you all! Love you guys bunches and bunches 🍌
- Genie 😎
April 1, 2022
Absolutely LOVE this series!! In this book, Mia is finally able to go with her family back to China. Through this trip, however, she realizes that what her family has been dreaming about all along might not be what's best in the end. I love the themes of loyalty, hard work, passion, and family in this book. Her friendships go through some hard times and competition threatens the Calivista but Mia is going to fight no matter what. What matters most - being rich and having all the best new things or being someone who cares about those around you and supports everyone's dream endeavors. Just like the first two books, Yang brings forth some hard hitting issues, this book looking at how cities change and the affect it has on its inhabitants. 100% recommend and can't WAIT to see what happens in the fourth book!
March 28, 2022
This series is based on the author's experiences growing up, and I can't help being impressed with all that Yang has accomplished, and from such an early age
Unfortunately, this was only a 2.5 for me.
I love books with diverse characters that focus on tough issues, such as racism, sexism, and the threat corporate chains pose to small business owners, but I don't like when the agenda is too obvious, to the point that the story becomes overly didactic, and vilifies anything and anyone that is not a minority. Basically, the book makes every white person bad and racist, and every big business chain conniving and evil, with nasty bosses who overwork and take advantage of all their employees. I mean, yes there is plenty of truth in that. But this book takes things to extremes on all sides. Any person who is from a minority is extraordinary and smart and compassionate and honest and just better than everyone else. All small business owners are kind and caring and affordable, and sell the best products of them all. Rich people are all terrible. White people are all Karens. It's a bit of a holier than thou attitude.
Look, I get it. I'm from a minority group, and a child of immigrants. The attitude towards immigrants and minorities in this country is still lousy, and has a looong way to go. Awareness is vital. But it was just too much in this case. All the issues the book tackles, all of which are very relevant and important, are basically shoved down your throat on every page, to the point that it almost feels like propaganda, or a preacher giving a fire and brimstone sermon.
This wasn't my favorite in the series. Also felt the boy and friendship drama was a bit overdone.
With all that said, I still think younger grades will enjoy it, and not necessarily have those issues with it. I also liked how Mia's trip to China (which Howard came along on) served to show that racism is not solely American; it's everywhere. No matter what your color, sex, race, or religion, there will be places in this world where you will be the outsider. I guess it's our duty as human beings to remember that feeling, and make sure we never cause anybody else to feel that way.
Unfortunately, this was only a 2.5 for me.
I love books with diverse characters that focus on tough issues, such as racism, sexism, and the threat corporate chains pose to small business owners, but I don't like when the agenda is too obvious, to the point that the story becomes overly didactic, and vilifies anything and anyone that is not a minority. Basically, the book makes every white person bad and racist, and every big business chain conniving and evil, with nasty bosses who overwork and take advantage of all their employees. I mean, yes there is plenty of truth in that. But this book takes things to extremes on all sides. Any person who is from a minority is extraordinary and smart and compassionate and honest and just better than everyone else. All small business owners are kind and caring and affordable, and sell the best products of them all. Rich people are all terrible. White people are all Karens. It's a bit of a holier than thou attitude.
Look, I get it. I'm from a minority group, and a child of immigrants. The attitude towards immigrants and minorities in this country is still lousy, and has a looong way to go. Awareness is vital. But it was just too much in this case. All the issues the book tackles, all of which are very relevant and important, are basically shoved down your throat on every page, to the point that it almost feels like propaganda, or a preacher giving a fire and brimstone sermon.
This wasn't my favorite in the series. Also felt the boy and friendship drama was a bit overdone.
With all that said, I still think younger grades will enjoy it, and not necessarily have those issues with it. I also liked how Mia's trip to China (which Howard came along on) served to show that racism is not solely American; it's everywhere. No matter what your color, sex, race, or religion, there will be places in this world where you will be the outsider. I guess it's our duty as human beings to remember that feeling, and make sure we never cause anybody else to feel that way.
March 21, 2022
Another great read by this author! I love this series and watching the MC grow into an incredible and empathic young adult.
We explore a little more of the MC's heritage in this one and even get to meet her family in China. I can't help but think about how exciting those chapters must be for readers who either relate to the MC or who are curious about other cultures. I always love her heartfelt conversations and the lessons she learns along the way (even as we see where her mistakes and actions may potentially take her before she sees them coming).
I think this book also brings up the important conversation of consent. Knowing that the author has written a YA book about this very topic, I'm not surprised to see her introduce this concept to our MC. It shows that no matter the age, consent is something that must always exist. Every time I read a scene with her friend where he acted a certain way towards the MC after her rejection, and how even his parents treated her when certain things happen because of the lack of consent between them (like victim blaming.) I kept saying to myself, "That kid needs a lesson in consent." I think it's important for young readers to read about this topic in such a relatable way. Do they too have someone that likes them but won't accept their "no"? Do they have kids bullying them as a result of a rejection?
I'm always amazed by this author and how her writing can just hit the reader so perfectly. I can't wait to read the next book!
I highly recommend this series and not just for the middle graders in your life. I think a lot of adults can benefit from reading this series and learning from the MC's empathy and life lessons that she encounters along the way.
Happy reading!
We explore a little more of the MC's heritage in this one and even get to meet her family in China. I can't help but think about how exciting those chapters must be for readers who either relate to the MC or who are curious about other cultures. I always love her heartfelt conversations and the lessons she learns along the way (even as we see where her mistakes and actions may potentially take her before she sees them coming).
I think this book also brings up the important conversation of consent. Knowing that the author has written a YA book about this very topic, I'm not surprised to see her introduce this concept to our MC. It shows that no matter the age, consent is something that must always exist. Every time I read a scene with her friend where he acted a certain way towards the MC after her rejection, and how even his parents treated her when certain things happen because of the lack of consent between them (like victim blaming.) I kept saying to myself, "That kid needs a lesson in consent." I think it's important for young readers to read about this topic in such a relatable way. Do they too have someone that likes them but won't accept their "no"? Do they have kids bullying them as a result of a rejection?
I'm always amazed by this author and how her writing can just hit the reader so perfectly. I can't wait to read the next book!
I highly recommend this series and not just for the middle graders in your life. I think a lot of adults can benefit from reading this series and learning from the MC's empathy and life lessons that she encounters along the way.
Happy reading!
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