Front Desk by Kelly Yang

The main character in Front Desk is Mia Tang. Mia's poor Chinese family lives and works at the Calvista Hotel in Anaheim, California. Mia's parents clean rooms while she manages the front desk and helps the guests out. Mia's parents hide Chinese immigrants, but if Mr. Yao, the mean owner finds out, they could lose their jobs. Mia wants to write, but her Mom says she can't because English isn't her first language. She tells Mia that when it comes to English, Mia is a bike and all the other kids are cars. When Mia learns about an essay contest with the prize being a hotel, Mia knows she can win. Can Mia win the hotel and help her family while keeping the contest a secret? Can her family keep the immigrants a secret? Can Mia finally prove to her mom that she's not a bike? And can Mia finally find a place in America?

-Clarabel