School Library Journal Review
| Gr 5--8--This meaningful, entertaining graphic adaptation of Yang's acclaimed novel, set in the early 1990s, is full of themes that remain sharply relevant today. Mia's parents, Chinese immigrants to California, manage a cheap motel. They staff the desk, clean rooms, manage problem clients, and are paid quite poorly, but they can live at the motel free of charge. Fifth grader Mia often helps, sharpening her math skills at the front desk and interacting positively with folks who live at the motel full-time. At school, Mia makes friends with kids from different backgrounds and discovers a new passion for writing in English. But hard times are ahead: Mr. Yao, the motel owner, financially exploits the family's labor; racial profiling affects a resident; and Mia's parents take a risk by creating a safe place for undocumented immigrants. Mia thinks she can fix things, and her youthful optimism gets her quite far. But she also possesses youthful bluntness about how little American reality resembles the American dream. Sober, cogent discussions of how money affects opportunity are uncommon in children's literature, and Yang raises the issue brilliantly while telling a great story. Obata's illustrations are deliberate yet lively, portraying a complex, diverse cast of characters easy to differentiate in appearance and attitude. VERDICT An excellent graphic adaptation of a compelling American story. A must-buy.--Emilia Packard |
Kirkus Review
| Yang's bestselling 2018 novel about a young immigrant girl helping her family run a Southern California motel is now a graphic novel. It's 1993, and Mia Tang and her parents have recently emigrated from China. When the opportunity to manage a motel in Anaheim arises, Mia's family, who until recently had been living in their car, jump at the chance to live rent-free. But the work is tough: solving guest issues, cleaning rooms, and staffing the front desk 24/7. Mr. Yao, the harsh, grasping motel owner, doesn't make it any easier for them, docking their pay for every minor infraction, adding to the Tangs' financial troubles. On top of helping at the Calivista Motel's front desk, Mia faces bullies at school and struggles with learning English. Even though they're trapped in poverty, Mia finds ways to dream big and bring hope to her family. Through her constant kindness, integrity, and persistence, Mia fights for change in her community, which has become like family. The illustrations support the original book's serious themes of racism, classism, and exploitation of immigrants. Obata's detailed artwork, enhanced by Angkasa's bold colors that evoke the 1990s, takes readers right into the world of the story. The characters' expressive faces and body language highlight the emotional ups and downs they experience. A fun, vibrant graphic rendition of a beloved modern classic. (author's note)(Graphic historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
