Parents' Guide to

Good Enough

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Overachiever learns a new definition of success.

Book Paula Yoo Coming of Age 2008
Good Enough Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

chanellerivascr
chanellerivascr Parent of 18+-year-old
December 16, 2015
age 12+

The book, Good Enough, was too good enough.

The book, Good Enough, was written by Paula Yoo and she did a very good job writing the story. The story, Good Enough, was about a girl name patty did a lot of studying and every time her parents would yell at her and starts to pressure her, so she gets tired of it. Also the parents control her life and yes she gets pretty tired of it too. But no other than that she likes to play her Villon and was obsessed. Also she goes to her church group and hangs out with her friends, but she also has a crush name ben and when she told him what her feelings was for him he denied it and he wanted to be just friends with her, so that made her pretty sad and uncomfortable. So then her parents still yell at her and started to get tired of it and yelled at them and yes she told the reader it was her very first time yelling at her parents about them controlling her life. So yes i think that patty overcome her parents and finally had relief to be in control of her life not her parents and this why love this book. The situation in this book sounded real like it could actually take place in a real life situation. Patty is a relatable character she is brave, worry, and a mild person in this story, Also i think patty is giving out an example to the reader that don't let anybody to tell you what to do. Patty is a great role model to the reader and has great messages to the reader.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Sjcherie
Sjcherie Adult
July 6, 2009
age 16+

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.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Book Details

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