KRKB
Kelly Yang
Author Profile

Kelly Yang

14 Books
Kelly Yang is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her engaging middle-grade novels, young adult fiction, and children's picture books that frequently explore the Asian American immigrant experience. She is most celebrated for her award-winning Front Desk series, which draws inspiration from her own childhood helping her parents manage a motel. Her diverse catalog also includes acclaimed stand-alone titles like Finally Heard and empowering picture books such as Yes We Will and Little Bird Laila.
When a terrifying new virus hits Hong Kong, ten-year-old Knox Wei-Evans's life is turned upside down. In a sudden panic, his mom decides to move Knox and his siblings back to California, leaving his dad behind to work. Almost overnight, Knox finds himself in a brand-new country, separated from his father and struggling to fit in at a new school. Being the new kid is hard enough, but as the pandemic spreads, racism skyrockets. Some of Knox's classmates unfairly blame him for the virus just because he moved from Asia. At home, the stress is mounting as his mom has lost her job, flights are canceled, and Knox is having trouble controlling his habit of blurting things out. Faced with fear and prejudice, Knox must find the courage to stand up to hate and protect his family. This heartfelt and timely story explores what it means to belong, showing that even when the world feels completely out of control, embracing your unique self is the best way to get through it.
9-12 Years 368 Pages
N/A /5
Are you ready to dive into the exciting (and sometimes tricky!) world of social media with Lina Gao? Ten-year-old Lina sees her mom’s video become super popular online, and suddenly, she wonders if going viral could help her feel more confident and seen. In real life, she sometimes feels like she's growing too fast, like microwave popcorn about to burst! With her best friends, Carla and Finn, and her little sister Millie by her side, Lina decides to try and make her own video go viral. But soon, she discovers that there's a lot more to social media than just likes and views. She sees glimpses into her classmates' lives, learns about secret group chats, and finds a bazillion stories about what to eat, wear, and put on your face. How can she tell what's real and what's just online chatter? As Lina explores deeper, she starts to realize that being true to yourself is the most important thing, even in a fast-paced online world. Join Lina as she navigates friendships, online trends, and discovers the courage to be her wonderful, authentic self. This book is a fun and insightful look at growing up with technology.
9-12 Years 352 Pages
N/A /5
Jason Yao is juggling a lot. Between working as a professional chef, helping run a busy motel, and just trying to survive being a regular kid, his plate is completely full. But his life hits a whole new level of both excitement and utter terror when Mia Tang officially becomes his girlfriend. Jason is determined to be the absolute best boyfriend ever, even if he feels like he does not quite measure up to how amazing Mia is. To prove himself, Jason comes up with a foolproof three step plan. First, he needs to earn enough big tips at the motel to treat Mia to her dream dinner. Second, he has to finally make some guy friends his own age and leave his fourth grade bullies in the past. Third, and most importantly, he must ensure Mia never discovers the dark secrets he is keeping hidden away. Navigating friendships, family expectations, and a brand new crush is not easy. Jason has his work cut out for him, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to make things work out perfectly.
9-12 Years 240 Pages
N/A /5
Front Desk

Front Desk

A Graphic Novel

Jump in Ten year old Mia Tang has a lot of huge secrets to keep track of every day. Number one is that she manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel, where she lives while her immigrant parents clean the guest rooms. It is a massive responsibility for a kid, but Mia tackles the job with endless energy. Why it pulls you in The stakes are incredibly high for the Tang family. Mia's parents are secretly hiding immigrants in the empty motel rooms. If the terrifying motel owner, Mr. Yao, discovers their secret, the family will be ruined. Adding to the pressure, Mia desperately wants to become a writer, a dream her mother dismisses because English is not Mia's first language. A vibrant new format This beautifully illustrated graphic novel brings Mia's classic story to life in a whole new way. You get to watch her navigate these intense challenges through expressive art, witnessing her courage, kindness, and hard work as she fights for her community and chases her ultimate dreams.
9-12 Years 240 Pages
N/A /5
The Women's World Cup has arrived in Southern California, and soccer fever has completely taken over Mia Tang's world. With the United States team facing off against China in the finals, Mia feels like the two halves of her identity are finally coming together on the world stage. But things take a stressful turn when her physical education teacher gives her a terrible grade. To save her report card, Mia comes up with a wild plan to score exclusive interviews with the championship soccer teams. The only problem is that both teams are hunkered down in secret hotels and refusing all media requests. Meanwhile, chaos erupts back at the Calivista Motel when the dreaded Mr. Yao returns as a co owner. While Jason believes his dad deserves a second chance, Mia remains highly suspicious. On top of everything, Mia's parents are facing enormous hurdles in their dream to finally buy a house of their own. Surrounded by obstacles from every direction, Mia has to face down her biggest fears and prove that she is a true key player both on and off the field.
9-12 Years 288 Pages
N/A /5

Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country

Asian American changemakers have shaped the world in incredible ways, reaching new heights and breaking down barriers across every field imaginable. This beautifully illustrated collection brings their inspiring true stories to life, showcasing the power of dreaming big. You will discover the fascinating journeys of history makers who have transformed our society. Learn how Yo-Yo Ma creates breathtaking music, how Franklin Chang-Diaz soared into outer space, and how Fred Korematsu bravely stood up against terrible injustice. The book also celebrates modern trailblazers like Vice President Kamala Harris, showing how courage can lead to historic firsts. With striking artwork created by a diverse group of talented artists, each page offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of these remarkable individuals. Through poetic storytelling and rich details, this collection proves that with love and resilience, you can accomplish absolutely anything you set your mind to.
9-12 Years 40 Pages
N/A /5
Jump in After years of incredibly hard work at the Calivista Motel, Mia Tang is finally getting a vacation. She is traveling all the way to China with her family, a total dream come true. Mia cannot wait to reunite with her grandparents and her favorite cousin, Shen. Why it pulls you in While exploring the bustling streets of Beijing, Mia notices massive changes happening everywhere. This makes her realize that her own life back home is changing just as fast. Her best friend Lupe is suddenly taking advanced classes at the high school, leaving Mia feeling left behind. Meanwhile, her big dreams of becoming a famous writer feel completely stuck, and an awkward situation with Jason is making everything more complicated. What to expect To make matters worse, new developments are threatening the survival of the Calivista Motel. Mia has to brace herself for a lot of turbulence. She must find the determination to navigate these massive shifts in her friendships, her family business, and her own big dreams.
9-12 Years 244 Pages
N/A /5
Meet Serene, a ambitious seventeen-year-old with dreams of creating dazzling couture fashion, even more beautiful than her mom's designs. Right now, she's learning the ropes as an intern at her mother's thriving fashion label. But Serene's world is turned upside down when her mom receives a serious diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Suddenly, Serene must step up and take charge of the entire business overnight. She faces immense pressure from ruthless investors who doubt a teenager can run a fashion empire, all while grappling with a personal quest to uncover the truth about her father, who left before she was born. Her mom has one rule: never look back. Meanwhile, Lian Chen, who moved from China a year ago, struggles to find his place in Serene's Southern California beach town. He dreams of a career in comedy, but his parents push him toward engineering at MIT. Feeling like he doesn't belong, Lian decides to start a Chinese Club at school, and that's where he meets Serene. Despite coming from different social circles, Serene and Lian find comfort and understanding in each other. As they navigate major life changes and personal challenges, a powerful connection blossoms, showing them that finding refuge in another person can help you brave any storm.
13-18 Years 342 Pages
N/A /5
For the past five years, ten-year-old Lina Gao has only known her parents through the postcards they sent her in Beijing. While her little sister got to grow up with them in America, Lina was left behind with her grandmother. Now, the day has finally arrived: Lina is stepping off a plane in Los Angeles to join her family's fabulous American life! But when she arrives, things are not exactly like the letters promised. Her family is struggling to pay back rent on a small apartment, school is incredibly difficult, and after mispronouncing a few English words, Lina decides it is safer to just stop talking altogether. Meanwhile, her chatty little sister seems to do everything perfectly. Struggling with hurt and anger, Lina tries to keep her feelings locked away. But when a book she deeply loves gets challenged by her teacher, Lina must find her voice. Can she gather the courage to speak up, embrace her new life, and finally be seen for who she truly is?
9-12 Years 304 Pages
N/A /5
Claire Wang never expected to become a parachute. Plucked from a life of extreme privilege in Shanghai, she is dropped off at a California high school to live in a stranger's house while her wealthy parents remain in Asia. For the very first time, she has absolute freedom with no one telling her what to do, and she quickly embraces the glamorous lifestyle alongside the most popular parachute boys at school. Dani De La Cruz, Claire's new host sister, could not be more different. Dani is an intense academic star and debate champion who is determined to earn her way into Yale. She resents the wealthy students who seem to buy their way to the top, and she is far from thrilled that her mother rented out a room to Claire. But when Dani's debate coach begins working with her privately, her carefully constructed path to success takes a dark and unexpected turn. Though they try desperately to avoid each other under the same roof, Claire and Dani soon find their lives crashing together. As they face life altering trauma and hidden corruption, the two girls must learn to navigate their complicated realities and discover the immense power of finally speaking out.
13-18 Years 496 Pages
N/A /5
Jump in Mia Tang is heading to San Francisco for the winter break of a lifetime. She is staying in the heart of Chinatown with her mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank. Surrounded by rich history and hilarious aunties, it is the perfect environment to hunt down a spectacular story for her highly competitive journalism camp at the Tribune. Why it pulls you in The path to front page news is far from easy. Mia quickly realizes her camp is packed with older students who have fancy laptops and major industry connections. She has to figure out how to stand out using only her pen and her passion for truth. Meanwhile, her friendships are shifting beneath her feet. Lupe is considering skipping ahead to college, and Jason is suddenly crushing hard on a new girl. For the first time, Mia is completely speechless and dealing with a massive wave of jealousy. What to expect With so many changes happening at once, Mia struggles to find the right words for her articles and her feelings. She must dig deep to find the courage to confess her own crush while proving she has what it takes to write the ultimate top story.
9-12 Years 304 Pages
N/A /5
Mia Tang finally feels like everything is falling into place. She and her parents are the proud new owners of the Calivista Motel, she gets to run the front desk with her best friend Lupe, and her writing is actually getting noticed. But as sixth grade begins, Mia quickly discovers that her perfect year is about to become a very bumpy ride. Her brand new teacher does not seem to think her writing is anything special, shaking Mia's confidence in her biggest passion. Back at home, the motel is struggling to turn a profit, and Mia is the one who has to answer to their long list of worried investors. To make matters even more stressful, a strict new immigration law is looming over their community. If the law passes, it will threaten the safety of everyone Mia loves. Faced with a rollercoaster of intense challenges, Mia must rely on her fierce determination and strong community to keep the motel afloat. She will need to dig deep to find the courage to stand up against unfairness and protect the people who matter most.
9-12 Years 288 Pages
N/A /5
Jump in Ten year old Mia Tang is keeping some massive secrets. Number one is that she does not live in a traditional house. She lives in the busy Calivista Motel, where she proudly manages the front desk every single day while her hardworking immigrant parents clean the guest rooms. Why it pulls you in The stakes at the motel are incredibly high. Mia's parents are secretly letting other vulnerable immigrants stay in the empty rooms for free. If the cruel and demanding motel owner, Mr. Yao, discovers what they are doing, the entire Tang family will lose everything they have built. On top of that, Mia has a secret dream of her own. She desperately wants to become a writer, even though her mother insists she should focus on math because English is not her first language. Who is it for Readers who love stories about resilience, big dreams, and helping others will cheer for Mia. It takes an enormous amount of courage, kindness, and hard work to survive the turbulent year, but Mia is determined to protect her family, support the motel guests, and finally chase down her biggest dreams.
9-12 Years 304 Pages
N/A /5
Laila knows her Mama and Baba are incredibly clever, funny, and kind. But because they are immigrants, sometimes they need a little help translating things from English. Since English classes are too expensive, Laila makes a brave decision: she is going to become her parents' teacher! There is just one catch, Laila is still learning the language herself. She knows some tricky rules, like how the t in ballet is silent, but there are plenty of words that still confuse her. Together, Laila and her parents dive into the funny, frustrating, and wonderful adventure of learning a new language as a family. From bestselling author Kelly Yang, this joyful and heartwarming story celebrates the special bond between parents and children. It is a beautiful reminder that you do not have to be perfect to be a great helper, and that love is a language everyone understands.
6-8 Years 40 Pages
N/A /5
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