Front Desk Chapters 1-40 Review

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of the book Front Desk?

Kelly Yang

From what country do Mia and her family immigrate?

China

What is the name of the motel owner?

Mr. Yao

What sign does the Tang family put on the front desk when Mr. Yao is at the motel?

a blue Yankees baseball cap Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Mia's best friend?

Lupe Signup and view all the answers

What do Mia and her father do with the money they earn from recycling each Sunday?

they trade it in for pennies and search for 'lucky' pennies Signup and view all the answers

What does Mia's mom pretend to do during important moments?

take a picture Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yang family say when posing for a picture?

'eggplant' Signup and view all the answers

Who are the two customers Mia's family had to refund their money to?

Mr. Stein and Mrs. Clifton Signup and view all the answers

How many schools had Mia gone to in five different grades?

four different schools Signup and view all the answers

What did the special notebook smell of in Mia's fourth grade class with Mrs. Fletcher?

chocolate Signup and view all the answers

How far is Disneyland from the motel?

5 miles Signup and view all the answers

What did Jason tell Mia in the auditorium?

He likes her Signup and view all the answers

What type of flower did Jason give Mia?

dandelions Signup and view all the answers

What does Mia's family use to celebrate special occasions?

Jasmine Tea Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the first weekly Mia meets?

Hank Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Mia's school?

Dale Elementary School Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the client who wanted a wake-up call?

Mr. Stein Signup and view all the answers

How many refunds did they give?

2 Signup and view all the answers

Who didn't charge a deposit on the key?

Mia Signup and view all the answers

Who snuck up on Mia when she was playing the piano?

Jason Signup and view all the answers

Did the key that Mia made for room 9 work when she gave it to the customer?

False Signup and view all the answers

How old is Mia?

10 Signup and view all the answers

Who did Mr. Yao think were bad people?

He thought black people were bad people. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Mr. Lorenz's Ford?

It got stolen during the night. Signup and view all the answers

What color was Mr. Lorenz's Ford?

neon green Signup and view all the answers

Who did the police officers interview?

the weeklies Signup and view all the answers

What is Hank's job?

He works at a gas station on Orange and Knott. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mia thinking about when she was staring at the Oreos?

She was thinking about the difference between the 2 colors. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mia's dad buy her that was special?

a glittery sparkly green pencil Signup and view all the answers

What did Mia's mother compare her to when she said she couldn't write in English as well as the other children?

a bicycle Signup and view all the answers

How much did the special pencil cost?

$5.99 Signup and view all the answers

Where did Lupe's family immigrate from?

Mexico Signup and view all the answers

What did Uncle Li make and throw away to get later and eat while working at a restaurant?

a hamburger Signup and view all the answers

How much is the 1943 copper alloy penny worth?

$40,000 Signup and view all the answers

Who came to fix the cable at the motel?

Lupe's dad Signup and view all the answers

Where did Mia say the most incredible hamburger she ever ate was from?

The Houston Space Center Signup and view all the answers

What was Mia's mom's job when they lived in China?

engineer Signup and view all the answers

What did Mia save for her cousin Shen?

butter packets Signup and view all the answers

What did Mia give Mr. Lewis to get him to stay in the motel?

a free soda Signup and view all the answers

Where did they wash the towels when the washing machine broke?

in the bathtub Signup and view all the answers

What is Mia's made-up golden retriever's name?

Sonjay Signup and view all the answers

How did Uncle Ming pay for his car repair?

with $50 dollars and coupons Signup and view all the answers

What was Jason surprised Mia could do because she was poor and from China?

play the piano Signup and view all the answers

Who saved Mia when she buzzed in the drunk guy?

Hank Signup and view all the answers

How many safety improvement ideas did Mia have after the drunk guy grabbed her?

three Signup and view all the answers

Who was the rival motel to the Calivista?

The Topaz Inn Signup and view all the answers

What kind of work did Aunt Ling do?

She worked in a nail salon. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ma fan' mean?

trouble Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of roller coasters Lupe describes?

One for the rich and one for the poor Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Setting

Author: Kelly Yang
Family Background: Mia's family immigrated from China to the United States.

Motel and Characters

Motel Owner: Mr. Yao manages the Calivista Motel.
Main Characters:
- Mia, the protagonist at 10 years old.
- Mia's best friend: Lupe, whose family immigrated from Mexico.

Key Events & Actions

Front Desk Sign: Tang family uses a blue Yankees cap to indicate Mr. Yao's presence.
Recycling Tradition: Mia and her father recycle weekly, exchanging earnings for "lucky" pennies.
School Experience: Mia has attended four different schools in five grades, indicating mobility and challenges in fitting in.

Special Moments and Cultural References

Family Celebrations: The Yang family enjoys Jasmine Tea on special occasions.
Photographic Moments: Mia's mom pretends to take pictures during significant events.
Posing for Pictures: The family accumulates memories with the phrase "eggplant."

Significant Relationships

Friendship with Jason: Jason reveals his feelings for Mia in the auditorium and surprises her with dandelions.
Customer Interactions: Mia interacts with various motel guests, including Mr. Stein and Mrs. Clifton, leading to refund situations.

Challenges and Solutions

Key Mishaps: The key made for Room 9 fails to work, showcasing Mia's struggles with responsibility.
Emergency Situations: Mia buzzes in a drunken customer and is rescued by Hank, leading to her developing safety improvement ideas.

Cultural Insights and Quirks

American Life: Mia embraces American culture through experiences, like wishing for a special pencil priced at $5.99 for its glittery appeal.
Economic Disparities: Lupe describes two types of roller coasters representing class differences: one for the rich and one for the poor.

Personal Growth and Aspirations

Mia's Talent: Despite hardships, Mia plays the piano, which surprises Jason due to her background and financial struggles.
Family Dynamics: Mia's mother compares her inability to write in English to being like a bicycle; an analogy emphasizing her learning journey.

Objects of Significance

Lucky Items: Mia collects butter packets for her cousin Shen and dreams of finding a rare 1943 copper alloy penny worth $40,000.
Uncle's Contributions: Uncle Ming uses a combination of cash and coupons to manage expenses, reflecting family solidarity.

Miscellaneous Notes

Laundry Issues: When the washing machine breaks, towels are washed in the bathtub, highlighting the family's resourcefulness.
Mia's Imaginary Friends: Mia creates a fictional golden retriever named Sonjay, perhaps as an escape or a symbol of comfort amidst challenges.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the characters and key details from the first 40 chapters of 'Front Desk' by Kelly Yang. This quiz covers important aspects such as immigration, family dynamics, and key plot points to help reinforce your understanding of the story.