Three Keys: 11/30/20

Three Keys by Kelly Yang is the sequel to Front Desk (2018). This novel is set in the final weeks before the 1994 election when Pete Wilson was reelected governor and Prop 187 passed.

At the motel that Mia's parents and full-time residents have purchased business is improving. The Tangs are starting to have some time for themselves and with Hank's help, they're starting to establish their credit. But the racist atmosphere of Prop 187 is brining out the worst in a lot of people and the Tang's immigrant friends are understandably worried.

At school Mia and her friends have to contend with a new teacher who is too pro-Wilson for their comfort. Being treated fairly is an uphill battle in class. Tenacious Mia isn't about to give up and she brings what she's learned from helping at the motel to improve things in the classroom.

To drive home how bad things were around prop 187, there's a side story about Lupe and her parents. Her mother has to travel to Mexico for a family emergency but can't get back across. Meanwhile, Lupe's father is arrested in San Diego and held for deportation. His case will be one of the first ones to test the new proposition.

The book is a good follow up read with The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed (2020).

The third book is Room to Dream, scheduled for release in September 2021.

Five stars

Comments (0)