MIA TANG IS PLAYING TO WIN! The Women’s World Cup is coming to California, and everyone has football fever ― especially Mia! But when her PE teacher gives her a C, Mia has to pull up her grade by scoring interviews with the championship teams. It’s not so easy when… 1. Th two teams are hunkered down in secret hotels in Pasadena and not taking any media requests. 2. Mr Yao is back at the motel― as a co-owner! Jason is sure his dad deserves a second chance. Mia is not so sure. 3. Mia’s parents are trying to buy a house of their very own, which turns out to be a LOT harder than they thought! As Mia aims for her goals, she’ll have to face strikers from all corners, as well as her own fears. But if anyone can find a way to win big, it’s Mia Tang. The fourth book in the FRONT DESK series - following Mia Tang as she plays to win!
Recommended reading age: 8+
Key Player by Kelly Yang
Kelly Yang’s family immigrated from China when she was a young girl, and she grew up in California, in circumstances very similar to those of Mia Tang – helping her parents manage several motels. Her only sanctuary was the library, where she could immerse herself in the world of a book, and where the librarians would encourage her. They saw potential in her, made her feel smart and valued, and she credits them with the success she went on to achieve – attending university at the age of thirteen, and graduating from UC Berkeley, and then Harvard Law School as one of the youngest ever female graduates.
Upon graduation, Kelly gave up law to pursue her dream of writing and teaching kids to write. She is the founder of The Kelly Yang Project, a leading writing and debating programme for children in Asia and the United States. She is also a columnist for the South China Morning Post and has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post and The Atlantic. Kelly is the mother of three children and splits her time between Hong Kong and San Francisco.