Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews, Young Adult · September 10, 2019

REVIEW | GOOD ENOUGH

Summary: Good Enough

In Paula Yoo’s Good Enough, high school senior Patti Yoon is preparing to retake the SATs after failing to make her Korean proud with her 2010 score. It doesn’t help that she’s also lost her concertmaster position at the All-State Orchestra. Both “failures” are conversation fodder at her Korean church where she also plays music.

But, on a high note, she meets a cute trumpet player, Ben, at the audition and is excited to find out he goes to her school. Her toughest decision, however, is whether or not to apply to Julliard. See, although Patti has the violin chops to apply, her Korean parents see only “HAVARDYALEPRINCETON.”

To complicate matters, she can’t seem to figure out whether or not Ben likes her, likes her. Even though he invites her to make music together, he’s dating another girl at school.

The Good

I enjoyed this book a lot. Patti’s sense of humor and her experiences as a child of Korean immigrants are simultaneously funny and difficult. In this OwnVoices YA novel, the author realistically depicts the stress that can result from trying to please one’s parents, especially when your dreams may be different from theirs.

Another fun part of this book is Patti’s church group and her Korean community. While all competitive, friends like Samuel show up for her by driving her to make music at Ben’s house — without her parents’ knowledge. I also loved Patti’s Korean meal recipes and her the author’s descriptions of music.

The college interview scenes were some of my favorites, as was the advice Patti receives from one of the interviewers. Finally, this book stands out to me because of the way the author handles Patti’s crush on Ben. I don’t want to spoil it, but this is not your typical YA. This book refreshingly focuses on Patti’s goals and her ability to determine her life’s trajectory.

Overall: Good Enough

Paula Yoo’s Good Enough is a funny, inspiring ode to music and Korean parents. Loosely based on the author’s life, this novel is very realistic about parental pressures and the stress of college applications. My favorite thing about this book is the message that your college major doesn’t have to define you. Patti learns that she can always change careers and she can be multiple things at once.

Good Enough is perfect for anyone looking for a light, funny young adult novel. Bonus points if you love music and Korean food! Fans of American Panda and I Love You So Mochi will enjoy this one.

Paula Yoo's Good Enough is a funny, inspiring ode to music and Korean parents. Loosely based on the author's life, this novel is very realistic about parental pressures and the stress of college applications. Click To Tweet

Buy This Book

Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org - good enough paula yoo

Disclaimer: I use affiliate links for both Indiebound and Amazon so I will make a few extra cents at no cost to you if you buy through my links. It would be a great way to support the blog.

Have you read this book or anything by Paula Yoo? What did you think? What are your favorite YA books about music? I’d love to know!

More YA Reviews

  • I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
  • Spin by Colleen Nelson
  • I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Young Adult · Tagged: asian ya, music books, ya books

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

Review | When Winter Robeson Came
Review | XOXO
52 YA Books About Mental Illness

Comments

  1. Rosi Hollinbeck says

    September 10, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    I don’t read a great deal of YA, but you make this one sound worth the time. I would especially like to read about the college interviews. Thanks for the heads up.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      September 11, 2019 at 8:21 am

      It’s a really fun read. Definitely worth a shot šŸ™‚ my pleasure!

      Reply

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

15 Best Muslim YA Books

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos šŸ“ø
šŸŒ§ļø when the clouds come in šŸŒ§ļø ā™Ÿļø chess in MG lit ā™Ÿļø ✨a suspenseful middle grade book✨ ✨chapter books worth reading!✨ Welcoming a second baby? Here’s a delightful picture book with tips for big kids. Although there’s more text in this one than I’d like for a typical picture book, I love that the information is factual and can be very helpful for parents tackling these specific questions with their big kids ā¤ļø ā“What happened to Rachel Rileyā“
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...