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![]() ![]() ![]() While this book is still told from Mia's perspective, it focuses a lot more on Lupe's experiences as an undocumented immigrant. ![]() I was super excited when I found out that Yang was putting out a second book. Last year I feel in love with the first book in this series which is Front Desk. I’m delighted that there will be a book 3 out next year. “the worry that if he didn’t take every single thing, a part of him would be lost forever.” “The pain broke my heart into a thousand pieces.” “You can see it, and you can feel it when it pours.” “Race might be a social construct, but racism’s as real as the clouds,” he said, pointing at the sky. You gotta listen, you gotta care, and most importantly, you gotta keep trying.” It's one of the three keys of friendship. There are some lovely quotes, including one that informs how the title gets its name: The powerful story/stories masterfully convey the messages through the characters’ feelings & thoughts and the events they experience. This is not a “message book” in capital letters. (Thank goodness his days are numbered but unfortunately there are millions of people who will likely keep this subject matter an always current problem.) Just as Mia and Lupe inspire others to change their minds, I hope this book will do the same. The personal author’s note at the back made it an easy decision: 5 stars!!! She writes poignantly about the 1994 election (which I remember, and yes I voted against the proposition pertaining to undocumented immigrants and against Wilson! I remember the other events from back then too, some heartbreaking/memorable) and how she then felt many years later when Trump came on the scene and spouted the same hatred. Another good message in the story is to follow your dreams and not let others dissuade you from them.Īs I was reading I was thinking 4-1/2 stars and mulling over whether to give the book 5 stars or 4 stars. It seems to come close to unrealistic a few times (but perhaps not since these stories are based on the author’s childhood) but even if the success of actions was glorified a bit that’s okay as empowering 11 year old kids is a laudable thing, and to encourage children & adults to be activists for what they believe is a great message. Mia’s father’s choice at the end deeply touched me. This is an exceptionally good friendship story, not just of the three kids but of many of the characters and including intergenerational friendships. Subjects covered include racism, undocumented immigrants, and economic disparity. This is historical fiction but unfortunately the issues the characters experience are still topical. I particularly enjoyed spending time with Mia, Lupe, Jason, Mia’s parents, Mia’s teacher, Hank, and Lupe’s father. ![]() Mia and her friends and family and others are marvelous characters. It was fun to be with these people again. This second book I enjoyed just as much as I did the first book, perhaps even more. This is a sequel to the wonderful book Front Desk ( Front Desk). I loved it.ĭefinitely one of the best contemporary (though this is set in the 90s) books I've ever read. There is a certain teacher character I was very quick to write off, but Mia shows us what she can do with time, patience and attention. She shows people can change in the best possible ways, and how that positive change can affect others. Seeing how certain characters were more villainous in the first book and a lot more humanised in the second really shows off Yang's superior writing ability. I loved the characterisations from the first book, Front Desk, and they really do carry over into Three Keys. She is so determined to make change that she actually DOES something, and while it might not always work out straight away, just her sheer courage and passion is enough to inspire kids to do the same. Mia Tang is one of the best main characters I've ever read, not just in middle grade, but of any book. Check out my 'reading middle grade for a magical week off' reading vlog where I talk about Three Keys: ![]()
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