For ages 9-14. "Front Desk" is an award winning look at how complicated a young person's life can become when the whole world seems stacked against them. Read the book ahead of time, and join us in Zoom to chat about the book, and catch up with fellow readers. Feel free to bring other books you've enjoyed recently to the chat to share.

*This event is presented through Zoom. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the program.  While supplies last, free paperback copies of the book for this program will be available for pickup at the Kent Island branch during curbside service  Please call the branch (410-643-8161) to confirm availability and request material pickup.  Materials will be held for 3 days.

Digital copies of the book are available on a first come, first serve basis via the app Libby by Overdrive or via your desktop browser.

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?

Awards and Praise for Front Desk:
Asian / Pacific American Award for Children's Literature
Parents' Choice Gold Medal Fiction Award Winner
NPR Best Books of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
Washington Post Best Books of the Year
Amazon Best Books of the Year
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
Bookpage Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library Best Books of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year
Top Ten Debut Novels 2018 - ALA Booklist

This event is funded by the Sinsky-Kresser-Racusin Memorial Foundation, Inc.