Mia is a precocious 10-year-old who emigrated from China with her parents when she was eight and now helps run the front desk of the Calivista Motel. Despite her youth, she enjoys the responsibility of helping her parents manage the hotel. Although Mia’s mother insists that she study math, Mia loves language and wants to learn to write well in English. She dismisses her mother’s warnings that she will never be as good as native English speakers and makes progress in mastering the language. Mia is doggedly determined to pursue her dream of becoming an author and uses her budding writing skills to help the people around her, especially her family. She is committed to creating a better life for herself and those she loves. By the end of the story, she helps her family achieve their dream of owning a motel of their own.

Mia’s parents are hardworking immigrants who are barely making ends meet as motel managers working for an exploitative boss. Mia’s father is a gentle dreamer who collects flawed pennies that are worth more than their ordinary counterparts. He refuses to sell them even though the family needs the cash. Mia’s mother is more practical and critical than her husband.