Good Enough

Yoo, Paula. Good Enough. HarperTeen, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-079085-1

Plot
Patti knows what is expected of her, especially from her traditional Korean parents. She has to be the concertmaster of her All-State violin competition, get nearly perfect on her SAT's and get into an Ivy League school. Oh yah, anything less is NOT ACCEPTABLE! She might as well not even bother living. Everything is going as planned until cute Trumpet boy shows up. He's nice, talented, he likes the same rock bands as her AND he's easy on the eyes. This definitely spells trouble. Can Patti please her parents while trying to be a normal teenager?

Critical Evaluation
This is a very addicting book. The narrative is written with clarity and humor so the pages fly past, it is appropriate for hesitant readers. The characters are funny, well-written and Yoo does a good job in having the reader relate to her characters. There are several surprises in the plot and Yoo does give some yummy Korean recipes that is mentioned in the story.

Reader's Annotation
Patti Yoo is an overachiever to say the least. She is on track to being the perfect Korean daughter until cute Trumpet guy appears. This guy is trouble, and Patti wonders if pleasing her parents is what makes her happy.


About the Author
Paula Yoo was born in Virgina and grew up in Connecticut. In addition to writing books she also writes TV scripts. She does admit that she shares some characteristics with Patti. She does play the violin and was the concertmaster of her high school orchestra.

She now resides in Los Angeles with her husband. Good Enough is her first novel.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum
Korean American Fiction
Musician Fiction
Parent and Child Relationships
Self-realization

Book Talking Ideas
Do you think Patti made a good choice based on her happiness or her parents?
Why do you think Patti's parents are so hard on her?
Do you think Patti was true to herself throughout the book?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
There is a racial slur mentioned

Challenge Answer
Accurately depicts issues that some Asian Americans face.

Why Included in Selection
This book was funny and I related to its themes.