Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Warm series about Korean American girl's life in new town.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In the MINDY KIM series, 8-year-old Mindy and her dad move across the United States to Florida. Already grieving after her mom's death, she's nervous to start at a new school in a new state, and wonders if she'll fit in without the large Korean American community she had in California. She stumbles a bit finding new friends, worries about her dad's happiness, and desperately wants a puppy. Even though there aren't very many people who look like her in this new town, she finds that there are lots of ways to celebrate her culture and create new traditions if she is open and honest with her friends and herself.
Is It Any Good?
Author Lyla Lee deftly navigates a lot of issues that kids face, especially those in immigrant families or others who don't feel like they fit into their new communities. The Mindy Kim series tackles the deep grief surrounding a parent's death, the loneliness of starting in a new school, the difficulty of friendships, and much more, and does so in a warm, loving way. The series can help readers in Mindy's situation feel like someone understands them while also helping other kids empathize.
The use of Korean words throughout is lovely, always in context and explained (types of food, clothing, ways to refer to relatives, etc.), and instills a sense of pride in the culture. Younger readers might struggle with the amount of text on each page, but more advanced readers will enjoy the story arc and challenging vocabulary. And Dung Ho's cheery illustrations help keep kids engaged.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how we can each help kids like Mindy Kim who are new in town. What can you do to help a new kid in school feel welcome?
Do you know anyone who has had a parent die?
What books with lots of focus on other cultures have you read?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dung Ho
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 14, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 9
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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