Mia Tang runs the front desk at the Calivista Hotel near Disneyland. That is, when she isn’t attending Grade 5 at Dale Elementary School. Ten-year-old Mia and her parents live and work at the small hotel. As Chinese immigrants in the 1980s, the Tangs relentlessly pursue their American dream, despite constant obstacles in the form of anti-Asian racism and never-ending worries about money.
Mia’s luxuries are things that others have in abundance: a pair of jeans left behind at the hotel (she wears $3 bargain shop pants); a slice of pizza (won as a prize); a sparkly pencil (her most cherished possession). However, her dream in life is not to own fancy things or go to Disneyland, it is to be a writer, something her Mom thinks is entirely out of reach.
Mia’s plucky and youthful sincerity remind me of my nine-year-old self and will surely inspire young readers to face problems with an open mind and a clever plan. Despite hardships, Mia greets the daily challenges of immigrant life with the same sunny attitude and tenacious spirit that she presents to each new hotel guest. Mia shows how kindness can be contagious and how hope is the key to every (hotel room) door.
Andrea Schneider PJ131
I started reading bits and pieces while supply teaching last year and never got a chance to read this one all the way through. Your last line about kindness opening (hotel room) doors was brilliant and has inspired me to move this book up on my TBR list. Thank you for reminding me of how great of a story it is.