The Lewiston and Auburn public libraries plan to hold The Lewiston/Auburn Read from Monday, April 25, to Wednesday, May 25.

This year’s community book selection is “Front Desk” by Kelly Yang.

Both libraries are planning a variety of activities and programs for readers of all ages to engage with Yang’s book. In addition to reading the book, participants will be encouraged to post selfies reading the book on social media accounts with #TheLewistonRead and/or #TheAuburnRead.

“Last year’s community read was such a success with participation from all over the city. I am excited to partner with Auburn Public Library this year and connect more with our community through Mia’s inspiring story,” said Lewiston Public Library’s Children’s Librarian Sara Turner in a news release.

The Lewiston/Auburn Read is a partnership between the city’s libraries, schools and cities. Print copies of the book are available for checkout at both libraries, as an ebook or audiobook on the statewide CloudLibrary app for those with library cards, and at public elementary school libraries.

“Front Desk” is about Mia Tang, who lives in a motel. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, 10-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Her parents hide immigrants, and if motel owner Mr. Yao finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed, according to a news release from the Lewiston library.

Yang immigrated to America when she was 6 years old and grew up in Southern California, where she and her parents worked in three different 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 the founder of The Kelly Yang Project (kellyyang.edu.hk), a writing and debating program for kids in Asia. As a writing teacher for 13 years, Yang helped thousands of children find their voice and become better writers and more powerful speakers. Before turning to fiction, she was also a columnist for the South China Morning Post for many years. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.

For updates on programs in Lewiston related to the Lewiston/Auburn Read, visit lplonline.org/the-lewiston-read/ and like the Children’s Department Facebook page at LPLKids.

For more information, contact the Lewiston Public Library Children’s Department at 207-513-3133 or lplkids@lewistonmaine.gov. The Lewiston Public Library is located at 200 Lisbon St.

For updates on programs in Auburn related to the read, visit the monthly calendar at eventkeeper.com and the Auburn Public Library Advocates Facebook Page. For more information, contact the Auburn Public Library Children’s Department at 207-333-6640, ext. 3. The Auburn Public Library is located at 49 Spring St.

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