Front Desk

Listener Reviews

1. 5.0(1)

   The best book ever

   It's an incredible book One of my number one Favorites Thrills in every Chapter I cry when I read it love it and it's amazing I'm one of your number one fans

   Vicki H. · October 10, 2023

2. 5.0(1)

   AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

   This book is absolutely amazing it taught me a great lesson and I always thought I had it the worst living in a two bedroom apartment with my mom and brother but this taught me that people have it worse than me and I should appreciate what I have and not to discriminate or treat people differently by what they look like or the color of there skin.

   Annabelle Sullivan · March 22, 2022

3. 5.0(1)

   Yes, listen to it!

   This book was recommended to me by three of my piano students, who just happen to be around the same age of the heroine of this book. Each of them, independently, read it because it is on the list of books for Oregon Battle of the Books. I am so glad it is! One of my students shared that the song Fur Elise is in the book and that the main character can play it! But this is much more than story about a young girl who can play the piano. It is a story about a young girl who has the courage to dream up a better way for us all to live together and the courage to do it! I can't wait to hear what my students think about it!

   Brenda Huerta · November 11, 2021

4. 4.0(1)

   Based on real events

   Front Desk is a middle grade book about a 10 year old Chinese immigrant named Mia. Even though this is a kids book, I, in my late 30s, enjoyed it quite a bit.

   This is book 1 of a series. Book 2 is already released, but book 3 shows to be released in September of 2021. I will read the next book. I'm curious what is next for Mia and her family.

   This book tackles some difficult topics such as racism, poverty, bullying, and abuse of power, but it does so in a way that makes it easier for younger audiences to understand. This has morals in it, but they are conveyed in a non preachy way.

   At the end of the book, we learn that a lot of this story comes from actual experiences of the author. That is really powerful to know and makes it more relatable for the reader.

   The narrator did a great job! She was very believable as the 10 year old main character and her other voices were good too.

   Symone Lawrence · February 6, 2021

5. 5.0(1)

   Wonderfully inclusive story

   This story is semi-autobiographical. It’s about a Chinese family that comes to America with very little money. They struggle to make a living running a motel. The characters are very realistic in their struggles and are very relatable. There are themes of poverty, diversity, and resilience. My favorite aspect of the book is in the main character’s struggle to fit in with her peers while already working at the motel and while being very poor. It takes a lot of resilience and wits to overcome her circumstances and she has a lot of both. This is a great book for 3rd-5th graders. There is a lot to be learned from the main character’s strength of character.

   Stephany Nieves · August 2, 2020

6. 5.0(1)

   An important, timely book.

   I listened to Front Desk with my 7 & 9 year old daughters we all loved it. It is funny and suspenseful and tackles big topics like racism, social justice, immigration, and bullying.

   Camille Montoya · May 9, 2020

7. 5.0(1)

   This book is amazing I love this book

   LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! It is so much fun and scary but that makes it even better

   Kumase Path · April 27, 2020

8. 5.0(1)

   Amazing but can be sad and scary

   Amazing but there are some scary and sad parts and a little romance seen but overall it was amazing

   Chloe Pruitt · April 8, 2020