Top Story (Front Desk #5)

I really wish that this series could go on forever. Follow the characters into high school, college, families and jobs, etc. I could read about these characters for many more books. However, if this is the final book of the series, I really love the story it told.

Quick Summary: Mia Tang is spending her winter break in Chinatown attending journalism camp at the Tribune. Her mother and Lupe will be with her to compete in a Math Cup tournament. Only a few chapters into the story, they are joined by Jason and Hank, and now the gang is all here.
Mia quickly finds out that beyond being an immigrant, she has to fight even harder to have her voice heard. But is she going to let people around her stop her? What do you think?

I really enjoyed this story. I listed to the audiobook and this was the first book of the series that really felt “middle grade” to me but it could have been because of the narration. Nonetheless, I loved it just as much as the rest of the series.

When Mia starts at journalism camp, she realizes that her cultural background is not the only thing she is going to have to overcome. Many of the campers have connections and money that give them a better chance of being published. Very quickly Mia and readers see just how unfair and quite frankly disrespectful this is. Everyone should have the same chance since they all worked hard to get into this camp to begin with.

I think what Jason tells her sums it up perfectly: “Remember it’s not who you know, but what you know. Anybody can just write a story. But you, Mia, you see people. You see what they’re going through. You care. That’s what sets you apart. That’s what’s going to get you the story behind the story.” This is the kind of writer Mia is and she meets two other campers who are much like her. They want to tell the stories that need to be told not the ones that are just going to “sell.” And being in Chinatown gives a wonderful setting for such phenomenal stories that Mia is determined to get published one way or another.

Kelly Yang once again provides heart, history, and family in this story. Yang shares not only a great story, but also historical facts about The Chinese Exclusion Act, the Page Act, the Alien Land Act, and more about Chinese history, as well as Indigenous history from the area. We unfortunately see some hate crimes and prejudice in this book. But this is important for middle school readers to read because it is unfortunately still going on today.

This novel has a strong message of the importance of speaking up against injustice and making sure everyone’s voice is heard. And in terms of news, it isn’t always about what is “popular” but the stories that need to be told, the stories that need the attention that they never got before.

Loved so many quotes in this story (see spoiler) and will ALWAYS continuing recommending this series to all readers, young and old!


“That was my mission for journalism camp: to convince a national paper that Asian American stories were worth covering all the time, not just during special occasions, like the Women’s World Cup” pg. 2

“I’m so proud of you two. You’ve both broken barriers to get to where you are. When you get to your competition and your camp tomorrow, I want you to think of all the immigrants who walked before you and were told their dream was too big, their value too small. And you show them, you hear?” pg. 4

“Did you know that twenty thousand Chinese immigrants helped build the transcontinental railroad? Hundreds died. If it weren’t for Chinese workers, we would never be able to build it as fast as Congress wanted” pg. 21

“When it feels like you don’t have all the tools, you’ll find the way to achieve your goals” pg. 23

“That’s when I realized, it wasn’t just laptops and gadgets I was up against. It was powerful last names too” pg. 37

“Remember it’s not who you know, but what you know. Anybody can just write a story. But you, Mia, you see people. You see what they’re going through. You care. That’s what sets you apart. That’s what’s going to get you the story behind the story” pg. 64

“Anyway, after the act passed, there were many riots and massacres. Many people attacked the Chinese. So many died. That’s why Chinatown so important. This tiny neighborhood in San Francisco kept our people safe” pg. 92

“I have news for you. There’s something interesting and important about everyone” pg. 104

“But I know we can beat them again. Not with huge machines, but with our creativity. How amazing would it be if Popo got a fortune that said, Family isn’t about blood. It’s about the people in your life who want to hold your hand?” pg. 151

“Everyone in Chinatown seemed to have two jobs - the thing they did for income, and the thing they did for their community” pg. 158

“I try to stop by every day. And if I can’t, one of my colleagues goes. Or someone else in the community. She’s kind of everyone’s grandma. We take care of each other here. I think it really speaks to the history of Chinatown” pg. 159

“Now I knew I wasn’t alone. Bruce Lee knew what it was like to put all of yourself into your art but still not get taken seriously. To worry that if you don’t take the terrible offer, you might never get any offers, every again. And the guilt of even wanting more when everyone is telling you that you should feel so lucky even to be given a chance at all” pg. 177

“Why do you love writing? Because stories connect us. They make people care. Through reading the piece on Popo, people understand a little more about Chinatown. What about you Emma? Because it’s my chance to fly into the world. Even if I can’t leave my little corner of our neighborhood, my words can” pg. 193

“You don’t know what it’s like to give up everything, just to be invited into a room. To question whether you’re good enough, day in and day out, because no one who looks like you ever got this far before” pg. 253

“I want to give the gift of math confidence to as many kids as possible, especially kids in underprivileged districts. Because knowing your true worth - not being afraid to ask for better terms because you understand your value - is what changed my life” pg. 267

“Work hard, play hard, and always know you’re worth” pg. 278

“You are the ink in my pen, Jason Yao. And I hope our story never ends. Love, Mia” pg. 287

“As complex and fraught as our history is, I believe in the future. I believe in the next generation, their capacity for empathy, and their excitement to be the change they want to see in the world. It all starts with a bold, brave voice. So get out there and tell your stories, far and wide! The world is waiting. The world is listening.” - Kelly Yang

Front Desk series book review I’ve read part of the front book series. I have completed book 1,2,3, and 4. I am also half way through the 5th book, where Mia Tang, the main character, struggles through racial offenses while exploring the nature of writing at a famous Writing camp. This book is hard to tear your eyes away from as you experience Mia’s struggles immigrating to America. There are many differences throughout these two countries, but the biggest one of all is the difference of kindness. Sometimes, late at night when I am enjoying reading this spectacular book, I imagine being in Mia's raggedy, old shoes. I try to feel her pain as her and her parents are strongly mistreated, hurt, and turned down. It is so dearly unfair that Chinese, Mexican, African American, or any colored people are treated in that manner. Though I am not colored, I too am Chinese. My grandmother herself immigrated from China to America. During her journey to America, she got caught in the pearl harbor war, and barely survived. While she was 100% chinese, my father is 50% chinese, and I conclude to be 25% chinese. I respect my culture. I think that this wonderful read Kelly Yang deserves to be more well known. The sweet and sour taste this unique book leaves in your mouth is one of a kind, something you should feel grateful for. There are many tear striking moments during this read, but also any heart warming occasions too. I highly suggest this book, for it will create a resting place in your heart.