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Good Enough
- By Paula Yoo
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Overachiever learns a new definition of success.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is little to be concerned about in this book. Patty and her family face some racism, but in the end, she is able to confront a character. Even Patty's rebellious behavior is pretty mild: She sneaks out of a church lock-in to go to a concert with her crush, and later in the book, she yells at her parents (and tells readers that this was the first time she had ever "raised my voice" to them. We should all be so lucky!).
What's the story?
Patty Yoon's parents pressure her to get into an Ivy League college, and she works hard to meet their expectations. Her life revolves around studying, taking practice SAT tests, practicing the violin, and hanging out with the other overachievers at her Korean church. But an unlikely friendship helps spark something new in her: The idea that she could choose a life of her own.
Is it any good?
The story takes a pretty predictable path: A nerdy girl learns to stop letting her parents dictate her life and becomes her own person. What's special about the story is that protagonist Patty is a really believable and relatable character: she loves both the violin and academics, she loves her parents, and even the kids in her church group -- and when she finally tells her crush, Ben, her true feelings, he tells her he only likes her as "a friend."
Her transformation into a girl who can stand up for herself is equally convincing. Readers will know that she has spunk all the time by her self-deprecating humor and the chapter interludes, such as "Top Ten Ways to Avoid Ben Wheeler at School" or "How to Make Your Korean Parents Happy, Part 4." Readers will appreciate Patty's brave confrontation with her parents, even if it comes at an unlikely moment (right before an important concert performance). Maybe the book will end too neatly for some, but students -- especially overachievers like Patty -- will appreciate her gradual understanding that she has "all the time in the world" to compose a life she loves.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the pressures facing teens today, especially around getting into colleges. Do parents put too much pressure on their kids to be the best at everything? You could check in with your teen: How much stress are you feeling to succeed -- in school and in other activities? Do you ever feel like you are juggling too much?
This story is about an Asian-American overachiever. What other books or movies can you think of that feature similar characters? Is Patty a stereotype -- or does her story present an accurate representation of cultural expectations that many Asian teens face? Are there other Asian stories that need to be told?
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AGE
Gives You an Inside View on the "Ivy-League Asian Genius" Stereotype
Good Enough is one of my favorite books of all time. It is the story of an overachiever whose life is pretty much being controlled and planned out by her parents, who happen to be very strict. All they want for their daughter is to study, and then move on to an Ivy League college. Their daughter Patti, goes along with it until she meets someone who makes her realize that what she really wants is to live her life making music.Patti talks to her parents baout applying to music school, and naturally, they fight about it. In the end though, they make ends meet with Patti going to Yale and participating in a special music program. One thing I loved about the book was it give you an inside look at the sterotypical "Ivy-League Asian genius." (Yes, Patti's family is Asian). One thing I didn't like though was that she went off to Yale. Yale is a great school, but Patti should have followed her dream all the way!
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AGE
I really think I learned about another culture through reading this.
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AGE
Perfect for Asian teenagers; a really, really good read for everybody else :]
This book almost left me in complete shock after I finished reading it. It was almost like it was taken straight from my thoughts, from my complaints, my aches, and my experiences.
I highly reccomend this book, even if you aren't an Asian with strict parents. The humor is a little too plainly stated, but nevertheless hilarious. Paula Yoo is an amazing writer and she seamlessly fits in sensitivity in her comedic narrative.
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| Author: | Paula Yoo |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | February 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 336 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 12 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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