Summary
This book shows the struggles that immigrants can go through from the eyes of Mia Tang, whose family works at a motel. Mia helps run the front desk while her parents clean…and hide immigrants in the empty rooms for free. While trying to keep this from the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, Mia also is trying to chase her dreams of becoming a writer. Despite Mia’s mom thinking she should stick to math because English is not her first language, Mia has to find the courage to chase her dreams anyway.
Theme(s):
Immigration, Diversity, Courage, Perserverance, Empathy
Personal Response
Children may be able to connect to and learn from this book for a number of reasons. Children may connect to the immigration aspect or learn more about immigration and why people do it. Children may also learn to find courage in the face of fear, especially when chasing their dreams. I connected to this book because there are many students who have migrated in, my school. Students have shared stories about the struggles they endured; it is really eye opening to listen to their personal accounts.
Teaching Ideas
Teachers can use this book to help teach students about plot. When reading the book, students can use a plot diagram to keep track of what is occurring. Students can analyze the plot and note the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. While reading, students can also complete comprehension questions to help engage them in higher level thinking while tracking their understanding of the text.
This book can also be used to teach empathy and perseverance.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 03, Grade 04, Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07
