Kelly Yang’s Top Story, book five in the Front Desk series, is a deep study of identity, belonging, and courage. It focuses on Mia Tang, a Chinese American young teenager who aspires to be a journalist. This dream follows Mia from her humble motel beginnings to the more fast-paced action in Chinatown. With quick wit and nearly heartbreaking challenges, Top Story is a call to action for young readers to be unique and not feel pressured by larger forces.

Mia gains an internship at a large paper called The Tribune, where she wants to write real stories that make a difference in her community. But as she soon finds out, being a young woman in a newsroom full of relatives of famous writers has its complexities. Her suggestions are barely noticed, and her pitches, along with her friends’, are ridiculed. Mia’s inner struggle, which is to be herself or to prove herself, is one of the most important themes of the novel.

One of the greatest things about Top Story is the way Kelly Yang is able to take real-world issues and infuse those challenges into her stories. It makes the reader want to engage critically with Mia as she navigates her relationships and dedication to journalism. Her connection with her immigrant mom and dad brings even more emotions, as she goes through the challenge of maintaining it and everything else at the same time.

But the book has a hasty conclusion. A few of the problems get wrapped up a bit too conveniently. Although Yang’s message of staying strong in integrity and resilience comes across well, a couple more chapters would have helped the conclusion feel better deserved. Readers new to the previous Front Desk books may miss some emotional context, especially concerning Mia’s lifelong friendships and family.
Nevertheless, Top Story is a delightful, entertaining read. Mia Tang is a heroine who is intelligent, empathetic, and brave in a world that all too often does not wish to listen.

Top Story is a must-read for middle schoolers, but especially for writers and truth seekers. Even with various issues, it’s a good reminder that even the smallest voices can create headlines—and change lives.

Website to buy book:
https://www.amazon.com/Top-Story-Front-Desk-5/dp/1338858408/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9pKrOFVfb1l2rhVq8itMqEtcQhAceiLPgTFk4MAQHam3Z1asMzSWNhKCaQ_sEaf8pEYdFhB4ocaZabZTPnxvRCz0i_MrHvKwX4KiQv4YHFZzUF0YUdSx5kCeEA8J6avdKa2wAElPs6eQwgEwulKC6dxpQNip4UB3TuPEQdhkOGwxvEv0i7Iq3cTXyLVwCxOnKiOuiQORPfr9buEb47yYybmF0UoSwUoS8Du2ZU_RQ.1_izbxdI_OSlMH72tE557M6grhiuHYnEAetei_8pwCc&dib_tag=se&keywords=Top+story&qid=1751224352&sr=81