Two foxes crossed paths as they were swimming alongside each other in the river. As they continued to swim across the river, one fox tried to get ahead of the other fox just to spite the other. The river’s current washed the foxes across the crystal clear water of the river, white wash shooting into the foxes mad, glaring eyes. The two kept fighting with each other in the river, trying to cross in front of each other’s paths. Finally, the foxes rose out of the water through the impenetrable pain coming from their bodies from their vigorous swimming. They came to a rocky area as their wet fur trailed behind them. One drew its paw from its side to start to punch the other in the head. The next one drew its fist to the other. The greenery of the forest silenced as the rough growls roared. Fists and kicks were taken at one another with sharp wincing dropping their bodies down. They did not know when the fight between each other would stop. Both lost the idea of what they were trying to fight for, just wanting to hold a victory. Their fight came to a draw as their heavy walks paced away from each other jumping back into the cold river.

This month I read the novel Top Story by Kelly Yang. This book is the fifth in the Front Desk series. Mia Tang is spending her winter break with her mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank in San Francisco’s Chinatown. She has visited to attend journalism camp at the Tribune with her hard-earned scholarship while her mom and best friend have come to compete in their Math Cup state championships. While there are many privileged, older kids at her journalism camp, Lupe is contemplating going straight to college, and Jason has a huge crush on her new friend, Emma. What will 13 year old Mia do with all of these newly-found problems?

I enjoyed this novel as the story felt very realistic and descriptive. I could picture the scenes well in my head because of Kelly Yang’s descriptive words being told. I also felt that the themes of racism and standing up for oneself were conveyed skillfully. Mia Tang opened her thoughts and feelings while weighing her options realistically to her surroundings. I liked that all the scenes were very vivid for me to picture, especially what Mia felt with the scenery around her and what everyone’s physical appearance was.

My favorite character in the book was Mia Tang. I love Mia Tang because she is a har-worker, shows kindness to others, never gives up when it’s hard, trusting to her family and friends, and is a great role model to others. A quote to show Mia is trusting on page 281 is, “ ‘ You can count on me, here and now and always!’ “ This quote proves that Mia is trusting because to be trusting is to be able to count on someone and that is what she is in this case, to her best friend, Lupe. She loves her best friend and knows they will always stick together if they can count on each other. This is a reason why Mia Tang is trusting and my favorite character.

My favorite quote from Top Story is “ Work hard, play hard, and always know your worth. “ (Page 278) This is my favorite quote because Mia Tang is passing on this quote from her mother in this part of the novel to make her friend’s day. I felt knowing your worth is very important concept to me because you should love yourself. This quote also came back to Mia in her head throughout the story so it was also a very important quote to her that she carried. This story’s meaning describes this quote so I think that is why Kelly Yang made it a part of the book.

I am thankful for many things this year, but here are my top three things. Firstly, one of the things I am very thankful this year is family. I know my family will always support and love me. They support me vigorously through my dance career and schooling. Whenever I have a performance, I know my mom will be there to watch me or if I have something at school I know someone will come. Some of my dance performances my whole family has come to which I am very grateful for and am so happy they enjoy watching me. I can count on my family no matter what. Secondly, I am thankful for my friends. I love spending time with them as they will do anything for me and help me anytime. I can call them anytime and I know they’ll answer to talk to me. My friends protect and love me so this is why I am thankful for them. Lastly, I am very grateful for Dance to your Heart’s Delight Nutcracker. I am so happy to be a part of this cast this year. As you know, I was cast as one of the main roles, Clara and supporting roles Clara’s best friend, snowflake, and Chinese corps. I am so grateful to my studio director, Ms. Kelly who graciously gave me these roles and can’t wait for the shows! Ms. Kelly is such a great mentor and teacher so I want to make her proud. It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this community and I can’t wait to perform my heart out. I am so pleased with being in the Nutcracker. Based on this information, I am very thankful for family, friends, and the Nutcracker.

I have been granted three wishes! If you have been granted three wishes, what would you ask for? My first wish I would ask for is to have my dance fees paid for the rest of my life. If this happened it would give my family much more money to spend on other things. I would be able to do unlimited dance classes, privates, competitions, and have an unlimited amount of attire, and costumes. I dance 19.5 hours a week so this would throughly help me. My second wish is to have unlimited money whenever I shop for anything. If I had unlimited money when I shopped I wouldn’t have to be worried to be spending a specific amount. This would help me not be undeceive because I couple buy it all. Lastly, my final wish would be to have a successful, fun, and happy rest of my life. I want this because you only have one life and you have to spend it well. These are my three wishes and I hope it will happen one day!