Good Enough

Ever wonder why Asians are stereotyped as always studying? If you’re Asian, you already know, and if you’re not, Paula Yoo’s charming book about an American-born Korean student gives a glimpse into the high pressure culture of trying to be the “PERFECT KOREAN DAUGHTER.” The narrator, Patti, intersperses her narrative with lists of helpful SAT tips, ways to appease Korean parents, and recipes for traditional fare. Patti is likable and funny as she attempts to balance school, music, studying for the SAT, and the dreaded social phenomenon known as “Korean Church.”

This is a light and fluffy book which also teaches about other cultures and contributes a much needed Asian teen voice in ya fiction.

Patti Yoon is a straight-A student, first chair violinist, and destined for HarvardYalePrinceton if she can only get her SATs up to a 2300. She's always had this dream of being accepted into an Ivy league school, going on to make something of herself (and, more importantly, escaping high school). But from the moment she sets eyes on Ben (a.k.a. Cute Trumpet Guy), things start to change. Her whole life, Patti has had to live up to her Korean parents' expectations, but now she's finally starting to figure out what will make her happy.

Patti is a really likeable main character and a hilarious narrator. I couldn't put this book down and I was laughing out loud reading it. Patti's surrounded by a cast of interesting supporting characters, show more including the dreamy, musical Ben, her strict parents (who have their reasons for expecting so much from her) and her geeky friends from Korean church. Yes, race is an issue at times in the book, but the bigger issue is Patti standing up for herself and figuring out that "success" and "happiness" are not necessarily one and the same. show less

Good Enough starts off with some rather hilarious band-related jokes, primarily bashing viola players (but you can probably replace it with any other instruments). I live off corny jokes, and the fact that Patti basically introduces herself with a joke really sat well with me. My favorite one from the book:

From page 1
You're lost in the woods and meet a pink elephant and a good viola player. Who do you ask for directions? The pink elephant - a good viola player is just a figment of your imagination.

The jokes only ran for the first few chapters, and then they fizzled out. However, Patti still managed to inject some humor every so often as she went through the trials and tribulations of being an Asian-American high school senior.

The show more great thing about Good Enough was how realistic I found Patti to be, although I had not been musically-talented or as pressured as she had been. Based off my own experiences with Asian parents, I simply imagined Patti's experiences to be ten times more extreme. Boys were a big NO for both Patti and me, and I could relate to her pining after that cute trumpet player and hoped that he would be The One who would totally get her. I thank my parents for not pressuring me to go to HARVARDYALEPRINCETON, but still they wanted me to get a good useful education and not something that may not sustain me well.

I would not go as far to say Good Enough was a "cute" book. Funny at times, but it still carried a hint of thoughtfulness as Patti tried to sort through what her parents wanted and what she may want. Good Enough was the "serious" cousin of skunk girl with less focus on boys and more focus on figuring out what one wants to do versus what one is expected to do.

The ending can be seen as both satisfying and disappointing. Patti eventually makes her decision on what she wants to do, but the cute trumpet player storyline warrants more discussion. However, I suppose things all work out for Patti and the cute trumpet player - just not the way I would have assumed. Meh, I guess this is more true to what happens in real life. But it doesn't mean I have to particularly like it! show less

Patti Yoon's parents have her future mapped out for her. Have for years. The choices after high school are simple: Harvard, Yale, or Princeton. Both parents came to the U.S. from Korea, and while successful in their own right, her parents have scraped and saved-- and forced Patti into countless SAT practice exams-- so Patti can have the best possible future. But-- and this is definitely a very new thought for Patti-- what if HarvardYalePrinceton is not what Patti really wants? Paula Yoo's narrative is both charming and hilarious, and proves very insightful to anyone who doesn't have a first generation Korean-American for a best friend. Need a recipe for Spam Kimshi? It's here. Need the top ten reasons why (insert countless list reasons, show more such as why your youth orchestra will fall apart performing the Mendelssohn concerto)? These are here as well. Many young adult readers with driven parents will undoubtedly recognize themselves in Patti, regardless of ethnic heritage, and every high school student will recognize-- and perhaps empathize-- with Patti as she develops her first major crush (and heartbreak), and questions what she really wants to do with her life. This is a 2010-2011 Missouri Gateway Readers Award nominee, and it's one of the best I've read so far. I highly recommend this book to teens! show less

Reviewed by Amanda Dissinger for TeensReadToo.com

GOOD ENOUGH by Paula Yoo is the story of Patti Yoon, a Korean-American girl struggling to meet her strict parents' demands, and trying to find herself during her senior year of high school. A straight-A student, and master violinist, anyone would think that Patti has a bright future ahead of her. However, it is simply not good enough for her parents. She must get a 2300 or above on her SATs, participate in every church activity, and get into Harvard/Yale/Princeton.

However, this plan is put a little bit off track when Patti meets Ben Wheeler, a trumpet player in her state orchestra. Ben exposes her to new music, a new crush, and new dreams. Patti begins to wonder what life would be like show more without the perfect plan, without Harvard/Yale/Princeton, and with her love of music to guide her down the right path.

Will her passion for playing the violin trump all the demands her parents make of her? Will she turn out fine without attending the perfect college?

GOOD ENOUGH is a hysterical, wonderful book with a lovable main character and realistic situations. With chapter headings inspired by Spam and the SATs, teenagers will find it easy to relate to Patti as she sets off on a righteous path of self-discovery. One thing's for certain: GOOD ENOUGH is more than good enough. It's a fantastic, unique book that will keep you laughing long after your first read. show less

A cute Asian-American coming of age story, where the girl who thought she should aspire to be the PKD (Perfect Korean Daughter) learns that there's a lot more to life (and to the people around her) than scoring 2300 on your SATs. Loved the music jokes, the recipes, and lead character Patti's great sense of humour about her self and her life. Definitely a young adult novel I'd recommend, even if you've never been forced to be the perfect korean daughter.

Patti is a senior in high school. Her parents are Korean who put tons of pressure on her. All she can think about is being valedictorian, HarvardYalePrinceton (the universities her parents want her to go to), 2300 or better on the SAT, and being concertmaster of the state orchestra for the fourth year in a row. Her life turns inside out when she meets a really cute boy, Ben, at the all-state auditions. She gets to thinking about what she wants for a change rather than her parents. Patti has to choose between what her desires and her parents. I really loved this book because I could connect personally with Patti. I am also a senior going through the stress of SATs and college applications. Patti is hilarious at attempting the PKD or show more perfect Korean daughter. This is a really good book for senior or junior girls who are stressed out about life in general because fictional characters are going through the same things we are! show less