Kelly Yang is a prominent author known for her engaging storytelling that often draws from her own experiences as an immigrant. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Front Desk series, which includes titles like Front Desk, Three Keys, Room to Dream, and most recently, Top Story. Her works are celebrated for their diverse characters and themes that address issues such as immigration, poverty, and race, making them both relatable and educational for young readers. She skipped several grades and attended University of California, Berkeley at the age of 13 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She then went on to Harvard Law School and graduated at the age of 20. Despite graduating with a Juris Doctor degree, she decided not to practice law. I became an author because I love telling stories. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always LOVED telling stories. I tell all kinds of stories — stories about immigrant girls, loan sharks, wealth, privilege, motels, first love, relationships, family, trauma, poverty, and race.
Importance.
Kelly Yang arrived on the scene in spring 2018 with her bestselling middle-grade debut Front Desk, which earned the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, among others.
Personal Struggles to Storytelling.
Kelly Yang’s journey to becoming a renowned author is deeply rooted in her own experiences as a child. Her family emigrated from China to the United States when she was just six years old. The early years were marked by financial struggles and cultural adjustment. Yang’s family ran a motel, where she worked the front desk and interacted with various guests. These personal stories would later become the inspiration for her critically acclaimed Front Desk series.
Books of Kelly yang.
With over 1.5 million copies sold to date, the Front Desk series has changed the landscape of Asian American representation in children’s literature.
The Front Desk Series:
Yang’s Front Desk series, starting with the first novel published in 2018, quickly gained popularity due to its refreshing perspective on the immigrant experience. The protagonist, Mia Tang, is a young Chinese-American girl who helps her parents manage a motel. Through Mia’s eyes, readers get a glimpse of the hardships, discrimination, and triumphs of immigrant families in America.
Career and Contributions
The series, known for its heartwarming narrative and exploration of social justice issues, has been lauded for shedding light on topics such as racism, economic disparity, and family dynamics. These are not just stories of survival but also of empowerment, as Mia navigates her complex world with determination and a deep sense of empathy.
Main message of Front Desk .
“It’s the details that sing in this novel, particularly the small moments that feel like everything when you’re a kid… This book will help foster empathy for the immigrant experience for young readers, while for immigrant children, it is a much-needed and validating mirror.
Yang is not only an author but also a dedicated educator. She founded The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and debating program aimed at empowering children in Asia and the U.S. Through her teaching, she has helped thousands of children develop their writing and speaking skills. Additionally, she has contributed articles to major publications such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Conclusion:
Kelly Yang’s impact on children’s literature and education cannot be overstated. Through her books, she has provided a much-needed platform for voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream literature. . Yang continues to inspire through her writing and teaching, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in storytelling.