Room to Dream

Kelly Yang
68 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

Kelly Yang

Room to Dream

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Realistic Fiction

•

Historical Fiction
Setting

California • 1990s

Theme
Family

•

Femininity

•

Race
First Publication Year

2021

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In the 1990s, 12-year-old Mia Tang travels from Anaheim, California, to Beijing, China, where she rekindles family connections and navigates cultural changes. Returning home, she faces challenges such as gentrification and family financial struggles while aspiring to be a writer. Room to Dream explores themes like racism, sexism, and xenophobia, capturing societal changes of the era.

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Hopeful

Playful

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Kelly Yang's Room to Dream has been praised for its relatable characters and insightful exploration of immigrant experiences. Fans celebrate the book's engaging narrative and authentic portrayal of family dynamics. However, some critics feel it occasionally relies on predictable plotlines. Overall, its heartfelt themes and positive representation of Asian American life are widely appreciated.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Room to Dream?

Readers who enjoy Room to Dream by Kelly Yang are typically middle grade students who appreciate heartwarming, coming-of-age stories exploring themes of family, friendship, and cultural identity. Fans of Front Desk by the same author or Wonder by R.J. Palacio would likely find this book appealing.

Character List

A determined twelve-year-old girl living in a motel in Anaheim, California, who dreams of becoming a published writer despite numerous rejections. She is known for her perseverance and her willingness to stand up for what is right.

Mia's best friend and fellow front desk worker at the Calivista motel, who is dedicated to her studies and aspires to be the first in her family to pursue higher education.

A Chinese student and Mia's friend who aspires to be a famous chef. His journey involves learning to manage his feelings and improve his relationships.

The marketing director and skilled burger cook at the Calivista, who offers wisdom from his experiences facing discrimination and provides Mia with guidance.

A talented writer in Mia's class who starts as her group project partner and becomes a supportive friend.

A kind and intelligent woman who dreams of being a teacher, learning alongside Mia the importance of opening up to others about challenges.

An owner and professional cleaner at the Calivista motel, who grapples with societal perceptions but ultimately seeks to understand his own value.

Mia's cousin who lives in China and shares a close bond with her, providing encouragement and symbolizing familial connections across distances.

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Realistic Fiction

•

Historical Fiction
Setting

California • 1990s

Theme
Family

•

Femininity

•

Race
First Publication Year

2021

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Buy This Book

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 10,950+ additional titles.