Plot
Mia must make a replacement after a guest checks out without returning this.
What is a room key?
Mia works with an old key machine even after cutting her finger. This shows that she is this.
What is determined or persistent?
Money collected in advance in case a guest loses or damages a motel key is called this.
What is a key deposit?
Mia finds an old manual key-making machine in this part of the motel.
What is the motel office?
This character operates the motel’s old key-making machine and injures her finger.
Who is Mia Tang?
On her first day of school, Mia tells her class that she owns this imaginary pet.
What is a golden retriever?
The unhappy guest becomes more understanding after realizing that Mia is only ten years old. This reveals this trait.
What is compassionate or sympathetic?
A device operated by hand rather than electronically can be described by this word.
What is manual?
Mia’s replacement key fails when she tries it at this location.
What is the guest’s motel room?
This character accuses Mr. Tang of breaking the washing machine.
Who is Mr. Yao?
Mia discovers that this boy is one of her new classmates.
Who is Jason Yao?
Mia invents a story about owning a dog because she is afraid Jason will reveal where she lives. This suggests she feels this way.
What is embarrassed, insecure, or self-conscious?
This word means correcting or improving something that has already been written or learned.
What is revision?
Mia meets Mrs. Douglas and Jason in this school setting.
What is her classroom at Dale Elementary?
This new teacher asks Mia and her classmates to introduce themselves.
Who is Mrs. Douglas?
Mr. Yao says the Tangs must pay to replace this broken motel appliance.
What is the washing machine?
Jason warns Mia not to associate with him simply because they are both Chinese. This behavior makes him seem this way.
What is unfriendly, guarded, or concerned about fitting in?
This school exercise requires students to write down words exactly as someone reads them aloud.
What is dictation?
Mia is walking toward this place when she witnesses Jason being bullied.
What is the library?
This classmate warns Mia not to tell the class about her work at the motel.
Who is Jason Yao?
Mia solves the laundry problem by putting towels, detergent, and water in the bathtub and doing this.
What is stomping or jumping on the towels?
Mr. Yao blames Mr. Tang for the old washing machine breaking and charges the family for a replacement. This demonstrates this trait.
What is unfair, greedy, or exploitative?
A sudden, clever solution—like Mia’s idea for washing the towels—can be described by this word.
What is a brainstorm?
The Tang family creates a temporary washing machine in this motel fixture.
What is a bathtub?
This character reports the broken washing machine to Mr. Yao and is blamed for damaging it.
Who is Mr. Tang, Mia’s father?