Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Front desk series, two YA novels and a non-fiction book about the Chinese American experience.

in 2019, she was awarded the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature and the Parents; Choice Gold Medal, along with several other accolades.

Kelly immigrated to America when she was 6 years old and grew up in Southern California, where she and her parents worked in three motels. She eventually left the motels and went to college at the age of 13 and law school at the age of 17. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she majored in Political Science, and Harvard Law School

She is the founder of The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and public speaking project for children based in Hong Kong,

Kelly joined Nikki Gamble In The Reading Corner to talk about fiction as a powerful vehicle for writing about life and to offer some reflections on the Chinese American immigration experience. She also talked about Key Player, her most recent novel in the Front Desk series.

Read our review of Key Player on the Just Imagine website

Purchase Key Player from our bookselling partner Best Books for Schools

Publisher's Blurb
MIA TANG IS PLAYING TO WIN!

The Women's World Cup is coming to California, and everyone has football fever - especially Mia! But when her PE teacher gives her a C, Mia has to pull up her grade by scoring interviews with the championship teams. It's not so easy when... 1.

The two teams are hunkered down in secret hotels in Pasadena and not taking any media requests. 2. Mr Yao is back at the motel- as a co-owner! Jason is sure his dad deserves a second chance.

Mia is not so sure. 3. Mia's parents are trying to buy a house of their own, which turns out to be a LOT harder than they thought! As Mia aims for her goals, she'll have to face strikers from all corners and her own fears.

But if anyone can find a way to win big, it's Mia Tang. The fourth book in the FRONT DESK series - following Mia Tang as she plays to win!v

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In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.

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