Review: The Cuffing Game

 

Mia Yoon wants to make a show for her college all about crushes. But her initial idea doesn't get off the ground. Instead, she brainstorms how to make it better with her nemesis. She isn't thrilled with the idea of changing the storytime about crushes to a reality dating show but...it does work.

The show gets greenlit for winter break. Mia, her crew, and the contestants (including Noah) travel to a winter wonderland. There she oversees the entire production. But what happens if she falls for one of the contestants...

My Thoughts: As they are in college - this is technically a new adult book. But it works as a YA book. I loved this book. Even though I don't watch much reality TV (Bake Off is my favorite), I love reading about it. I loved how this is from the perspective of the producer/host and not a contestant. What a fun twist on Pride and Prejudice! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

 Why I read it: retelling of Pride and Prejudice + reality TV show

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Review: Mindy Kim and the Fun Family Vacation

 

* Book 12 in the Mindy Kim series *

Mindy and her family are going on vacation! She's so excited about. She hopes that vacation time with help relax her Dad and Julie; they've been fighting a lot lately. Jeju Island has so many cool spots; she can't wait to see them all. But traveling with a baby is hard. Mindy gets irritated when Charlie causes the plans to change. Will they have any fun?

My Thoughts: I really love this series - Mindy is so much fun. I love that she's so excited about vacation and all the research she did about the island prior to arrival. I love the relationship between her and Charlie - even though she gets angry and frustrated with him. I hope there are many more books in the Mindy series to come. I want to see their relationship grow as they do. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library collection

Review: Mindy Kim Big Sister

 

* Book 11 in the Mindy Kim series * 

Mindy Kim's stepmom - Julie is pregnant. The baby is arriving any moment. They want the gender of the baby to be surprised. Mindy isn't sure what to expect. She's been the only child for so long. She asks her friends for advice.

Once the baby arrives, things are hard. The baby cries all the time. But Mindy isn't sure how to help. She wants to play with her brother, but he's too small for most interactions. Can she be the best big sister?

My Thoughts: I love this series. I love Mindy's big heart. I love how she wants to help but isn't sure how. I love how she seeks advice from her friends. The solution she comes up with is super cute. I can't wait to read more about Mindy and her new brother. I hope this series continues for a long time. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school or public library.

Review: Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical

 

* Book 9 in the Mindy Kim series * 

Mindy and her friends tryout for the kids' summer theater production of Cinderella. They are all trying out for the same part. When Mindy gets the role of an evil stepsister, she's hurt. She doesn't think she's mean. And she's really hoping she'll make a great big sister. 

Rehearsals are tricky. One of the stars quits. Will the show go on?

My Thoughts: I adore this series! Mindy and her friends are adorable as they tryout for the play and support each other. I love how they tryout even though they are scared. They're more interested in trying new things. I love how Mindy makes the best of being an evil stepsister - by trying to make people laugh. There's some bullying in the book and talk about staying calm with breathing techniques. As always, the illustrations are charming. I can't wait to see what happens next for Mindy and her family.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendations: A must have series for your school and public library collections! 

Review: Flip the Script

 

Hana loves K-dramas but this is her first time acting in one. Her co-star is a K-Pop star with tons of fans. But still the ratings for the first few shows aren't what they hoped. The executives come up with a plan - for Hana and Bryan to fake date. 

Hana doesn't like Bryan. In fact, there might be someone else on the show that she's crushing over. But how can she make a move when the world thinks she's dating Bryan. And neither scenario is good for the show...

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for Hollywood stories and while this isn't set in Hollywood - it's still filming a TV show. I loved the moments on set. I loved the moments Hana explores South Korea. And the food! There's so much to love with the food in this book. Lots of tropes here: fake dating, secret relationship, love triangle, famous people... If any of those are your jam, read this one! I loved the ending and how it ties into the book title. 

Tiny Spoiler: Hana is bi. She was born in American but now she and her family moved to South Korea for her acting career. All of this drama forces her to realize that she's not okay with staying silents.  I really liked two points in this book: 1. old fashioned vs homophobic and 2. the need to be safe in telling your truth. You don't have to share your truth unless you want to. Hana was Brave and Inspiring. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public library.

If Lyla Lee sounds familiar to you, she's the author of fabulous Mindy Kim series for kids!

Review: Mindy Kim and the Fairy Tale Wedding

 

Mindy's father is getting married! She's so excited. She wants the day to be magical. Mindy works really hard blending the cultural traditions of both sides. She can't wait to be the flower girl. And she's been working on a surprise - training her dog to be the ring bearer. Hopefully everything goes smoothly!

My Thoughts: Another great book in this series. I love how the Korean and Chinese traditions played a huge role in this book and how the families came together. The moments with Teddy were priceless - he really does steal the book sometimes. Another great chapter about friendship and family in the Mindy Kim series. Can't wait to see what's next for Mindy and company.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book Sent for Review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries.

Also May is AAPI month (Asian Pacific American Heritage Month)- perfect for displays and showcasing this series among your displays.

Children's Book Review: Mindy Kim and the Trip to Korea

 

Mindy Kim, her father, and his girlfriend are all traveling to South Korea to visit Mindy's grandparents (her deceased mother's parents). It's the first time Mindy's traveled to Korea and she's so excited. But she's nervous too. What if she doesn't fit in with her cousins? What if her grandparents don't like Julie? Julie and Mindy decide to attempt cooking a Korean dish as a thank you - but cooking can prove challenging when the ingredients are in a different language. Mindy just wants everyone to like each other and be happy together.  

My Thoughts: I love this series and it was so fun traveling with Mindy. I love how she bonded with her family - even though they didn't always know how to communicate. I love the foodie moments and the tourist ones too.  I liked the addition of Julie to the trip and seeing Julie and Mindy interact. The illustrations are super cute! I hope there are many more books to come in this charming series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: This series is a must have your school and public libraries.

Book Spotlight: Mindy Kim series

 

Mindy Kim has wanted a puppy forever - and it might just be her birthday present! She's so happy when she meets her new best friend. But training Theodore is proving to be a challenge. Mindy Kim isn't about to let that stop her!

I was that kid who desperately wanted a puppy. I loved Mindy's determination and her big heart. 

When the former class president moves away, there's a new election. Mindy Kim decides to run for class president. She's using the platform of snacks, friendship, and being kind. But she has to give a speech in front of her grade. She's doesn't like giving speeches, but she practices really hard.

A great book about platforms, campaigning, and elections. Not everyone is happy with the outcomes, but some handle it with grace and others do not. 

* Mindy Kim, Class President was sent for review

Series review:

(I read and reviewed the first two books here.)

I love this series. Mindy Kim has a great big heart and she tries to do the right thing. Sure, she makes mistakes, but she handles them with grace. Of course, I also love learning about her Korean heritage. The illustrations are charming. I hope there are many more books about Mindy Kim to come.

Review: Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade

* Book 2 in the Mindy Kim series *

Mindy Kim's Lunar New Year will be different than last year because last year her mother was still alive. Now in a new state, Mindy's missing everything familiar about the holiday. When her father suggests, they attend a parade, she can't help but feel a little excited. She's happy to share the day with her new friend Sally. But the day does not go as planned - at all. But maybe that's ok. Maybe it's time to make some new traditions.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this addition to the series and I'm so looking forward to the next book. I loved learning about Lunar New Year and Mindy's family traditions. I felt terrible for Mindy and Sally during their moments of troubles. I enjoyed how everyone came together and made the day special. I liked how Mindy's dad talked about dating again. The illustrations in this series are super cute! I can't wait to see what trouble Mindy gets into next!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Library Recommendation: A sweet series for your school and public libraries - highly recommended!

Blog Tour: Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

Coming Soon: 

A powerful new chapter book series about a Korean-American girl learning how to share and celebrate her culture! 

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

by Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho

Meet Mindy Kim: the plucky protagonist of a new chapter book series that is like Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones. Mindy Kim tackles the everyday experience of millions of Asian-American kids—sorely underrepresented in chapter books—with tenacity and heart.

Mindy Kim speaks directly to Korean-American kids who have never seen themselves 

on the page, inviting readers to both express their cultural identity with pride, and celebrate identities unlike their own.

 Mindy’s first day of school goes awry in MINDY KIM AND THE YUMMY SEAWEED BUSINESS (Aladdin | On Sale 1/14/20). Mindy’s grateful when her new friend Sally is able to make her initially unpopular dried seaweed snacks seem totally delicious to her new classmates. But when someone tries to sabotage Sally and Mindy’s Yummy Seaweed Business, Mindy wonders if she’ll ever fit in. Starting a new school is hard for any kid, but for Mindy, who finds herself at a school without any kids who look like her for the first time, starting anew means finding the courage to stay true to oneself even when it seems like no one can understand. Kirkus Reviews gave this “lovingly authentic debut” a star, raving that “Lee takes on a number of issues with a new school, microagressions, friendships, and grief, and she manages to artfully balance it all.”

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt bad for Mindy as she tries to navigate a new school far away from home on top of dealing with her grief from her mother's death.  I like how she shares her seaweed snacks with the class (And how it gets a little bit out of hand). I loved her father and their relationship. There's so much packed into this charming story. I'm looking forward to many more Mindy adventures.

*  I also love how Mindy' adventures were based upon the author's life (A Korean-American girl starting at a new school in a predominately white neighborhood.) 

* Lunar New Year is on Janaury 25th, the perfect time to read the second book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
LYLA LEE is a writer of many things. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying psychology and cinematic arts at USC, she now lives in Dallas, Texas. When she is not writing, she is teaching, watching Korean dramas and other TV shows, and eating all kinds of good food. Visit her online at lylaleebooks.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @literarylyla.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
DUNG HO was born and raised in Hue, Vietnam, where she studied graphic design at the Hue University College of Arts. After graduating, she worked in the design and advertising industries before discovering a great passion for illustration and picture books and becoming a freelance illustrator. Currently, she lives and works in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Ho draws inspiration from nature and the interaction between people and nature and especially loves to draw children. When not drawing, she enjoys cooking and watching movies. Visit her online at dungho.me and on Instagram @dunghanhho.

Up Next:

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade

In MINDY KIM AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE (Aladdin | On Sale 1/14/20), it’s Mindy’s first Lunar New Year without her mom and she’s determined to enjoy the day. When Mindy decides to make traditional Korean New Year food to celebrate, things don’t go according to plan. But with the help of her family and friends, Mindy finds a way to celebrate her old traditions and create new ones along the way, discovering that she can find her own way of being Korean-American.

This series is for every new kid, every kid missing a parent, every kid picking themselves up after facing a challenge—but it’s vital that Mindy isn’t just any kid. Korean-American author Lyla Lee writes Mindy from her own experience as the new kid at a predominately white school.

Book Info:

MINDY KIM AND THE YUMMY SEAWEED BUSINESS by Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho

Aladdin ♦ January 14, 2020 ♦ Ages 6-9 ♦ 96 pages

HC ISBN: 9781534440098 ♦ PBK ISBN: 9781534440074 ♦ $16.99 (HC)/$5.99 (PBK)

MINDY KIM AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE by Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho ♦ Aladdin

Aladdin ♦ January 14, 2020 ♦ Ages 6-9 ♦ 96 pages

HC ISBN: 9781534440111 ♦ PBK ISBN: 9781534440104 ♦ $16.99 (HC)/$5.99 (PBK)