Mia and her Chinese immigrant parents work hard running a small motel near Disneyland. Although she is only a fifth grader, Mia works the front desk, and for the most part she loves the responsibility and the fact that she can help her parents earn a living. In this charming year-in-the life book we see Mia deal with a school bully (who happens to be the motel owner's son), keeping secrets from her only friend, hiding immigrants, and grappling with racism directed at one of the hotel's permanent guests. If books are empathy delivery devices, this one provides exceptional moments in which readers can take on the viewpoints of others. We empathize with Mia and her friend Lupe, who realize they are on a separate roller coaster from more privileged kids and they wonder how they will ever get off. We see Mia being told by her own mother that she will never be a good writer. We meet Hank, a Black man charged with a crime and fired from his job. And we see Mia's parents working themselves to the bone, unable to stand up to their ruthless employer. Most of all, we root for Mia, whose optimism and spirit make this novel sparkle. In spite of all the life lessons here, this book does not feel like medicine. It's a fun story that would make a great read aloud for elementary school children. Recommended for 2nd-6th graders.
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