Category Archives: Contemporary

Review: Front Desk by Kelly Yang

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Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Front Desk (Front Desk #1)
Kelly Yang
Arthur A. Levine Books
Published May 29, 2018

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Front Desk

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?

My Review

I am amazed at how much Kelly Yang successfully weaves into this short novel. It’s under 300 pages, and the plot moves along at a reasonable pace. I felt like I got to know some of the motel residents, Mia’s family, and her friends from school.

During the story, Mia begins writing letters. She writes to someone’s potential employer. She writes to an employer who has been abusing his workers, demanding that he give back the passport and ID card to the worker. Her letters make a difference, even while Mia’s mom keeps reminding her that she wasn’t born in America, and that she’ll never speak “native English,” like the people who were. Mia’s letters prove that her voice matters, and her words have power, despite the other messages in her life.

Mia is also a first-class community builder. She connects with the motel residents, those there for a short while and those who stay much longer. She reaches out to the other business owners around the motel. Soon the Calivista is known up and down the coast.

Some parts of the book are sad. Her parents’ employer is cruel and takes advantage of them. Kids at school make fun of her for her clothes and her identity. She witnesses racial prejudice against a Black man who lives at the motel. Someone attacks another person, leaving them injured and bleeding. Mia is the first to find and help them.

But those sad moments only make Mia’s triumphs more impactful. They show the depth of her spirit and the strength of her heart. By the end of the book, I was cheering for her and her family. I definitely want to read more of this series.

One of the amazing things about the series is that the author drew inspiration for Mia’s story from her own experiences helping manage a motel with her parents when she was Mia’s age. This explains the story’s 1990s setting, too.

This is a great fit for readers looking for pre-2000s novels, especially middle grade books on the shorter side.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Two instances of mild profanity. A few instances of racist comments.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A drunk man scares Mia. One scene shows someone who has been attacked by two people. (The attack happens off scene.) References to threats from loan sharks.

Drug Content
A drunk man scares Mia. He’s quickly dealt with.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Ramin Abbas has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber

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Ramin Abbas has MAJOR Questions
Ahmad Saber
Atheneum Books
Published March 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Ramin Abbas has MAJOR Questions

An intensely brave, beautifully honest, and wryly funny story about a gay Muslim teen who has to choose between being true to himself or his faith—and his realization that maybe they aren’t as separate as he thought.

Ramin Abbas has spent his whole life obeying his parents, his Imam, and, of course, Allah—no questions asked. But when he starts crushing on the ridiculously handsome captain of the soccer team, so many things he’d always been so sure about are becoming questions:

1. Music is haram. But what if the Wicked soundtrack is the only thing keeping you sane because you’re being forced to play on the soccer team? With Captain Handsome?!

2. A boy crush is double haram, and Ramin’s parents will never accept it. But can he really be the only Muslim on Earth who feels this way?

3. Allah is merciful and makes no mistakes. Then isn’t Ramin just the way Allah intended him to be?

And so why should living your truth but losing everything—or living a lie and losing yourself—have to be a choice?!

My Review

I really appreciate that authors are writing stories that boldly ask hard questions about the intersection of faith and identity. These kinds of questions aren’t easy to answer, no matter what age someone might be, and it’s easy to oversimplify or lean on easy answers when those answers don’t directly impact one personally.

I think it’s also brave to write a novel featuring a protagonist who still feels positively about his faith despite having questions. That’s a real experience that a lot of people are having, and to find that reverently reflected in literature is so important.

Ramin is a perfect protagonist for a story like this. His relationships with his family members are tense and complicated by grief. He attends a private school for Muslim students, which is an experience many readers may not be directly familiar with, but I thought the descriptions and situations would be easy for anyone familiar with other private religious institutions to understand.

In the course of the story, he joins a soccer team and finds a place among the players. This gives the story some additional structure and offers more experience that will resonate with readers.

I also really appreciate that through the course of the novel, Ramin encounters lots of different views on practicing Islam. Some views were more restrictive, while others challenged his thinking. Ramin began to examine different parts of his faith alongside one another. He began to question whether ideas that appeared contradictory were a paradox or evidence of a need to update his ideas. I love the sensitivity with which the author explored these topics.

If you enjoyed The Golden Boys Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes or Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian, add this remarkable debut to your reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague reference to sex. Brief mention of masturbation in the context of asking if it’s permissible in Islam.

Spiritual Content
References to some verses in the Quran. References to daily prayer practice. Ramin is a person of deep personal faith. He speaks with the Imam, asking questions about the intersection of faith and identity. He wrestles with questions about Allah’s love and judgment for sinners.

Violent Content
References to harsh judgment for sinners, such as having boiling lead poured into their ears. Some homophobic comments and statements. A student threatens to out Ramin. In an angry outburst, Ramin kicks a soccer ball through a window.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Greenies by Emma Mills

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The Greenies (The Greenies #1)
Emma Mills
Henry Holt & Co. Books for Young Readers
Published March 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Greenies

The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Breakfast Club in this fun and fresh graphic novel about a girl who reluctantly joins the Environmental Club at her new school–and finds friendship and community where she least expects it.

After her parents’ divorce, seventh grader Violet is forced to start all over.

Now the new kid, at a new school, in a new town, she must navigate unfamiliar territory. Luckily, Violet falls in with a new group of (maybe?) friends. But when they wind up in detention, they’re forced to join the under-attended Environmental Club—and mischief ensues. What will become of this rag-tag group?

Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love this hilarious and heartfelt story about making friends, making mistakes, and making it up as you go along—until you end up just where you were meant to be.

My Review

I’ve been a fan of Emma Mills for years. Her young adult novels always have really engaging characters and memorable friendships. When I saw that she was writing this middle grade graphic novel, I immediately jumped at the chance to review it.

Just like her other stories, this one boasts realistic, memorable relationships. When Violet starts going to a new school, she only knows her quirky cousin (ask her to tell you about Jupiter). Pretty quickly, though, she makes some new friends. Her new friends have history with each other that Violet doesn’t know about, which creates some interesting tension in the group.

The description comparing this book to The Breakfast Club is spot-on, though there’s far less angst here. Overall this is a fun collision of characters who reluctantly pull together as part of an after-school environmental club. Perfect for readers interested in an upbeat friendship tale.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Violet’s cousin tells her a rumor about a zombie eighth grader roaming the closed-off fourth floor.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack by Scott Kurtz

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,

Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack
Scott Kurtz
Holiday House
Published March 10, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Table Titans Club: Sneak Attack

Ready your armor, sword, and sleeping bag—the Table Titans are headed to summer camp! Come along for the adventure in this graphic novel series about a middle school Dungeons & Dragons club from Eisner and Harvey award-winning cartoonist Scott Kurtz.

Table Titans Club members Val, Kate, Alan, Andrew, and Darius are psyched to spend the summer at Camp Owl Care. At this live-action roleplay paradise, the gang will work together to overcome challenges, unravel riddles, and safely swash-buckle their foes. Nothing the Table Titans can’t handle together!

. . . Or not? The club arrives and learns that they’ve been randomly sorted into houses for the camp LARP quest. They must compete against their fellow Titans for reward and renown!

As the camp-wide feud heats up, it seems like the Titans will have to make a choice: sacrifice their houses’ standings, or say goodbye to their tight-knit friendship. Will the Table Titans Club survive the summer?

Set in the same universe as the Eisner Award-winning webcomic PvP, Scott Kurtz’s artwork blends zany, fantastical visuals with slice-of-life humor. For fans of fantasy and coming-of-age stories alike, Table Titans Club perfectly captures the heart of tween friendships.

My Review

What a great tribute to young Dungeons and Dragons players! This book captures the energy and fun of playing tabletop games with friends as well as an upbeat summer camp vibe. The characters have distinct personalities that occasionally border on cliché, but overall work well for a story this length.

The monster sighting in the woods serves as a great catalyst to bring the campers together and challenge some unresolved conflicts between former party members. I like how the plot resolved.

The cartoonish illustrations were perfect. The bright colors and exaggerated expressions will make it easy for young readers to intuit what’s happening beyond the dialogue. This was such a fun book to read.

I totally recommend this for DnD fans and readers looking for a summer camp story packed with fun and energy.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A camp employee tells a story about a monster in the woods. A few campers see a strange creature in the woods. Kids engage in a “battle” using foam weapons.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,

Serendipity
Gabbie Benda
Holiday House
Published February 10, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Serendipity

Serendipity is the luckiest kid in the world. But what happens when the luckiest kid in the world becomes extraordinarily unlucky, in this debut graphic novel.

Serendipity is your classic overachiever. She’s class president, lead in the school play, and star of the basketball team. She’s also incredibly lucky, like, wins everything all the time lucky, even random radio raffles.

Which is how she finds herself with free tickets to the town carnival where an accident curses her with bad luck FOREVER.

And just like that Serendipity’s luck really does seem to run out. Missed shots, fumbled lines, and a slip in the polls. Can it get any worse? Oh yes it can. Permanent bad hair days.

Serendipity becomes convinced the curse is real. She’s definitely not disorganized or spread too thin. Nope, it’s all the curse. And she’ll have to find a way to reverse it soon.

Hilariously charming and illustrated in sugar pink hues, this graphic novel is a treat for kids who love middle school dramas and adorable, if impulsive characters. It’s a perfect story for overstressed overachievers looking for a warm reminder that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping down. In fact, sharing the spotlight with good friends is perhaps the luckiest thing of all.

My Review

This book has a wonderful balance between quirky fun and subtle lessons. I love the friendship between Serendipity and Basil, who are very different in personality, but help balance each other.

One theme really stood out to me. After Serendipity believes she’s been cursed forever, she struggles to do all the things that felt so effortless before. She wrestles with all kinds of ways to get back on track and avoid disappointing everyone.

I suspect that will resonate with a lot of high-achieving readers. There’s so much pressure to join everything, fill your schedule with extracurriculars, and never let anyone down by missing a practice or event. Sometimes, that life can be sustainable for a while, so that when it becomes unmanageable, we feel guilty or ashamed for needing to step back. Like, somehow, having limits is a personal flaw.

I love that this story examines that experience, and that Serendipity finds solutions through interdependence and boundaries. Her community of friends helps and supports her without making decisions for her.

The bright color palette emphasizes the fun, energetic story. The subtle messaging encourages readers to lean into supportive relationships and to celebrate not only their own successes but also those of their friends and community.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
List.

Romance/Sexual Content
List.

Spiritual Content
List.

Violent Content
List.

Drug Content
List.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , ,

Lion Dancers
Cai Tse
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published August 13, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Lion Dancers

Former best friends become bitter rivals when one returns to lion dancing after a long absence in this vibrant and heartfelt middle grade graphic novel perfect for fans of Haikyu!! and Fence.

Young Wei dreamed of being a legendary lion dancer just like his dad. With his best friend Hung performing as the tail and Wei controlling the head, he knew they could become the next generation of lion dance champions. But after his dad’s sudden passing, Wei abruptly quits lion dancing—and his friendship with Hung.

Years later, Wei is stuck…in life, in school, and on the bench at games. That is, until he crashes a junior lion dance practice and feels his long-sleeping passion wake up within him once more. The team is happy to have another member to carry on the tradition, especially as one as preternaturally talented as Wei. There’s just one person who doesn’t want him the self-proclaimed star, Hung.

As Wei and Hung fight to be considered the top lion dancer, both will have to learn how to face their mistakes head-on and remember what it really means to be part of a team.

My Review

As a former ballet dancer, I an always drawn to stories about the impact that dance has on the life of participants. Before reading this book, I didn’t know anything about lion dancing, so it was exciting to learn through the story. The author is an accomplished lion dancer herself, which didn’t surprise me to learn after reading the book. You can tell from the pages that she really knows about this topic.

Each chapter opens with a description of a lion dance move and explains how it’s used and what it means. I thought that was a really nice touch. It would have been a lot harder to put those explanations in the panels, and this way the explanations appear at the right time for the reader to pause and think about them. I found myself wishing that the descriptions of the movements had been a little more clear. It wasn’t always easy to tell from the pictures what the move would look like.

The story centers around Wei and his return to lion dancing as part of his healing from loss. His connection to Hung took a long time to become fully clear. I wasn’t sure if Hung understood that Wei quit lion dancing after his parents died. It seemed like if he knew that, his belief that Wei quit for no reason wouldn’t hold up, so I couldn’t tell.

I liked the relationship between Wei and Jun, too. She’s a chipper, outgoing girl who gently pushes Wei to speak up for himself and find something he’s passionate about. I liked that she celebrated his success even though he chose something different than she would have picked for him.

On the whole, I enjoyed this graphic novel. I love that it offers kids a window into lion dancing and the kind of teamwork it takes to perform well. Definitely glad I read this. I think one of the MMGM kidlit bloggers posted a review over the summer last year, so that’s how I heard about the book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Wei prays at an altar for his parents on his way out of the house. The Lion Dance team performs at several Lunar New Year celebrations. Several of the dance moves have to do with offering a blessing to the celebration’s host.

Violent Content
One panel shows an aerial image of a car accident. References to death of a parent (happened before the story begins).

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.