Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
38th out of 49 books
—
1,429 voters
Good Enough
by
Paula Yoo
How to make your Korean parents happy:
1. Get a perfect score on the SATs.
2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.
3. Don't talk to boys.*
Patti's parents expect nothing less than the best from their Korean-American daughter. Everything she does affects her chances of getting into an Ivy League school. So winning assistant concertmaster in her All-State violin competition and earnin...more
1. Get a perfect score on the SATs.
2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.
3. Don't talk to boys.*
Patti's parents expect nothing less than the best from their Korean-American daughter. Everything she does affects her chances of getting into an Ivy League school. So winning assistant concertmaster in her All-State violin competition and earnin...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
February 5th 2008
by HarperTeen
(first published February 1st 2008)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,674)
A cute, funny book with a touch of poignancy -- this is the book to give to Lisa Yee fans who are going to high school.
Patti Yoon is under a lot of pressure: her Korean-American parents want her to excel in everything, and that means getting into All-State Orchestra, socring a 2300 on the SATs, and getting into what they refer to as "HARVARDYALEPRINCETON." But when her first gander at handsome Ben -- aka Cute Trumpet Guy -- causes her to blow her All-State audition (egads, she's relegated to the...more
Patti Yoon is under a lot of pressure: her Korean-American parents want her to excel in everything, and that means getting into All-State Orchestra, socring a 2300 on the SATs, and getting into what they refer to as "HARVARDYALEPRINCETON." But when her first gander at handsome Ben -- aka Cute Trumpet Guy -- causes her to blow her All-State audition (egads, she's relegated to the...more
Good Enough
HarperTeen.,2008,336pp.,$16.99
Paula Yoo
ISBN-13: 9780060790851
Patti Yoon is a teenage girl that have really strict parents. She plays the violin and she was the concertmaster for straight three years in the All-State Orchestra. Patti had gotten a "perfect score" so far, until the fourth year. The "glance" at the cute trumpet guy (Ben) made her mess up in the audition. This year, she is the assistant concertmaster. Besides from the music, she is also under-stress from her Korean parents...more
HarperTeen.,2008,336pp.,$16.99
Paula Yoo
ISBN-13: 9780060790851
Patti Yoon is a teenage girl that have really strict parents. She plays the violin and she was the concertmaster for straight three years in the All-State Orchestra. Patti had gotten a "perfect score" so far, until the fourth year. The "glance" at the cute trumpet guy (Ben) made her mess up in the audition. This year, she is the assistant concertmaster. Besides from the music, she is also under-stress from her Korean parents...more
Dec 18, 2012
Paula
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Teenage asian girls I guess but really I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone
2.5/5
Cute book, but not really my style. Deals with typical high-school nerdy girl troubles: music (lots of competition!), SAT scores (2300!), and boys (omg!). I've read several of these stories about Asian American teenagers struggling to balance a healthy social life along with parental pressures. I guess their struggle kind of mirrors my own miniscule problems, although my desire to fit in stopped at around eighth grade and my parents are much more lax than conventional tiger moms. I underst...more
Cute book, but not really my style. Deals with typical high-school nerdy girl troubles: music (lots of competition!), SAT scores (2300!), and boys (omg!). I've read several of these stories about Asian American teenagers struggling to balance a healthy social life along with parental pressures. I guess their struggle kind of mirrors my own miniscule problems, although my desire to fit in stopped at around eighth grade and my parents are much more lax than conventional tiger moms. I underst...more
I bought "Good Enough" on a whim and I'm glad I did...I absolutely loved this book! Think the less party-oriented version of "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life", but with recipes, SAT prep, and the main character is Korean- not Indian.
I've tried one of the three recipes (the spam/kimchi/ramen noodles) and it was yummy! It inspired me to try Kochu Jang, thought the bottle I bought reads "Go Chu Jang" (I'm assuming romanized spellings vary), and spam. Go figure I've tried kimchi,...more
I've tried one of the three recipes (the spam/kimchi/ramen noodles) and it was yummy! It inspired me to try Kochu Jang, thought the bottle I bought reads "Go Chu Jang" (I'm assuming romanized spellings vary), and spam. Go figure I've tried kimchi,...more
I did not care for this book very much, as you can tell from my rating. The only reason I bothered to do a review on it at all was because I neede to give warning... and a bit of credit. Yes, there were parts I liked.
I didn't like:
~The not-main characters
~The mood
~The book in general (no offense)
I liked:
~The main character (sometimes, simply because i can relate)
That's it.
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I even read it twice, I wantedto like it so much. But the ends just di...more
I didn't like:
~The not-main characters
~The mood
~The book in general (no offense)
I liked:
~The main character (sometimes, simply because i can relate)
That's it.
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I even read it twice, I wantedto like it so much. But the ends just di...more
This book started out really great. The fact that this book is about the "typical Asian parents" wanting their daughter to be perfect was really intriguing. Towards the middle, I started to think that I knew what was going to happen, but suddenly the book started taking many interesting twists and turns. I couldn't put the book down once I had reached the middle because it had gotten so tempting to turn the page to see what happens next. I also liked that it was really quick to read even though...more
2 likes · like · see review
view all 5 comments
I need the ability to half star things:) I would go 3.5 stars
I thought that this was a great book. Especially for those high school kids that feel the pressure not only of the need to succeed but to be able to please the parents as well.
(Excerpt from book)
How to make your Korean parents happy:
1. Get a perfect score on the SATs.
2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.
3. Don't talk to boys.*
This is the fictional story of Patti Yoon a first generation Korean American girl. Patti's parents expect nothing l...more
I thought that this was a great book. Especially for those high school kids that feel the pressure not only of the need to succeed but to be able to please the parents as well.
(Excerpt from book)
How to make your Korean parents happy:
1. Get a perfect score on the SATs.
2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.
3. Don't talk to boys.*
This is the fictional story of Patti Yoon a first generation Korean American girl. Patti's parents expect nothing l...more
My friend Sara said that after watching the last episode of the final season of Hannah Montana, she just wanted to sit there and cry.
That is how I felt after reading this book.
Bitter-sweet. Half happy half sad. And it has nothing to do with the actual ending, or if I liked the characters or not, and everything to do with the fact that I'm a senior and I'm about to graduate and I completely understood every single word about the stupid SATs (or in my case, ACTs) and getting into all the right c...more
That is how I felt after reading this book.
Bitter-sweet. Half happy half sad. And it has nothing to do with the actual ending, or if I liked the characters or not, and everything to do with the fact that I'm a senior and I'm about to graduate and I completely understood every single word about the stupid SATs (or in my case, ACTs) and getting into all the right c...more
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 imagina...more
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 imagina...more
I reviewed this book for Page One: a book competition for Catholic schools around Lincoln, Nebraska
I fell in love with the main character. And her relationship with Ben is one of the most healthy boy/girl relationships I've seen in a book about highschool kids. Imagine a teen admitting that friendship and even music are more important than kissing for her (Page 306). The writing was funny, and pretty well done. I couldn't put it down.
I was sad that I couldn't recommend it: The girl lies and snea...more
I fell in love with the main character. And her relationship with Ben is one of the most healthy boy/girl relationships I've seen in a book about highschool kids. Imagine a teen admitting that friendship and even music are more important than kissing for her (Page 306). The writing was funny, and pretty well done. I couldn't put it down.
I was sad that I couldn't recommend it: The girl lies and snea...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A Korean American teenager tries to please her parents by getting into an Ivy League college, but a new guy in school and her love of the violin tempt her in new directions. - From library catalog record
This book is being considered for next year's Gateway Award list. This is the first novel for this author and it is a very enjoyable read. Very funny at times and realistic at other times. It shows the pressure that some cultures may put on their students to excel, but also the love of those fami...more
This book is being considered for next year's Gateway Award list. This is the first novel for this author and it is a very enjoyable read. Very funny at times and realistic at other times. It shows the pressure that some cultures may put on their students to excel, but also the love of those fami...more
Good Enough by Paula Yoo is the first book review of the new school year!!!! Anyway, Good Enough is about a girl named Patti, whose Korean parents have several rules she must follow. Some of them are no boys {they will take your focus away from your studies} or at least a 2300 on the SAT. Patti is also good at violin, but her parents don't think she can make a suitable living with music. Patti is pretty focused on her studies until one day she spies "cute trumpet guy" at the symphony rehearsal....more
Cute story about high schooler Paula Yoon, who strives to be the PKD (Perfect Korean Daughter). She has to have the best grades, be the best violinist, and get into HARVARDYALEPRINCETON. I liked this book's funny tone and the angle that I'm sure some students can relate to: pressure from family, society, and church to do more and more, be better and better, because success equates to happiness...or does it?
Favorite quotes:
"Because we all know geeks can change -- just look at all those Hollywood...more
Favorite quotes:
"Because we all know geeks can change -- just look at all those Hollywood...more
I chose this book because i can relate to the title.Good Enough, by Paula Yoo, is about a Korean teen, named Patti Yoon, who is determined to be perfect. She always wants to meet everyone's expectations, especially her parents. That means perfect SAT scores, getting concertmaster for every concert, and always going to church.Patti has always done what her parents have wanted her to do, until now. Ever sine she met Ben Wheeler she has considered "rocking the boat" and starts to do what she wants....more
I am so glad that I read this book now, not earlier or later. I feel like I can really relate to Patti, the main character of this book. My parents also wants me to become a doctor, lawyer, etc ... They always want something more from me and not from my sister, which Patti doesn't have, but that's just an addition tto my stress. And because I have to go through the process of taking SATs, which I'm retaking because I'm unsatisfied and the college process, trying to figure out the schools that I...more
Summary: Patti Yoon is the daughter of two Korean parents who strive for her to be the best she can be. In a world of concerts, SAT prep classes, Korean Church, and all AP classes, Patti is expected to get into “HARVARDYALEPRINCETON”. Patti is struggling during her senior year of high school. She is in love, wants to possibly go to Julliard, and just wants to be happy. She has to lie, sneak out, and make mistakes in order to discover what it takes to make her truly happy. She has to find a way t...more
1 like · like · see review
BAYA HOT PICK I had to tear this one away from my part-Asian, academically entrenched, violinist daughter, who shamefacedly read it multiple times before letting me have it to review-which means that Yoo is right on target in her audience of studious "B-tier violin prodigies" who want a slight, but not trashing romance. High school senior Patti feels the pressure to live up to her Korean parents' expectations to be the PKD (Perfect Korean Daughter) and spends much of her time stressing about get...more
"HarvardYalePrinceton". That is the goal of Patti Yoon, the protagonist of Paula Yoo's novel "Good Enough". Or at least it's the goal of her parents, and therefore her goal as the "Perfect Korean Daughter". But as she begins her senior year in high school, Patti falls for cute trumpet player Ben, and begins to re-evaluate her life. In the end Patti does not get the boy, but she learns an important lesson about being herself and making herself happy. I couldn't put this book down. Not only does i...more
1 like · like · see review
A very enjoyable book that should not have taken me nearly as long to read as it actually did (seriously, the font is like size 24, and half the book is in list form! Need to start reading in places that aren't the bus!).
As the title promises, it is about Patti, a girl who is always striving to be "good enough" for her strict Korean-American parents and get into "HarvardYalePrinceton!!!" so that they can brag to their church friends. But as a review pointed out, this is not your typical "parent...more
As the title promises, it is about Patti, a girl who is always striving to be "good enough" for her strict Korean-American parents and get into "HarvardYalePrinceton!!!" so that they can brag to their church friends. But as a review pointed out, this is not your typical "parent...more
In many ways, this is a typical book about parental pressure for overachievement and academic excellence. Patti Yoon plays the violin, takes 7 AP courses, and lives her life to please her Korean immigrant parents and earn admission into HarvardYalePrinceton (one word, always yelped in this order).
However, Yoo's style of writing ensures that it never comes off as hackneyed (who knew those SAT words would come in handy?). I enjoyed the lists, tips, disclaimers and recipes, but I was most impresse...more
However, Yoo's style of writing ensures that it never comes off as hackneyed (who knew those SAT words would come in handy?). I enjoyed the lists, tips, disclaimers and recipes, but I was most impresse...more
Patti’s life as a high-school senior is comprised of playing the violin, studying for the SAT’s, meeting a cute new guy at school, and trying to live up to the expectations of her Korean parents, who want, more than anything, for her to go to an Ivy League college. She has a passion for music, but knows her parents feel that life as a musician in unstable. In this story, Patti deals with trying to fit in, while still holding on to her Korean culture. She also faces the difficulties of trying to...more
Patti is a young Korean American teen who is struggling with the need to please her parents and the desire to do what she loves. This is a great coming of age story that is filled with humor, romance, school pressures and parental challenges which allows every high school senior the ability to relate to her. Although relatively easy to read, this published by Harper Teen book is definitely geared to the high school audience. I think the pressure and angst that she suffers would be lost on a midd...more
DELIGHTFULLY CUTE ENOUGH.
“…during breakfast I will memorize ten SAT vacab words while eating my cereal. When I’m writing an English paper on, say, Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ I’ll listen to my Sarah Chang Mendelsshohn CD at the same time because it helps me memorize the notes.”—page 54
I recently enjoy seeing Paula Yoo on an author’s discussion panel about Asian American fiction. After her stand-out, hilarious presentation, speaking about her book and her life, I was anxious to read her,...more
“…during breakfast I will memorize ten SAT vacab words while eating my cereal. When I’m writing an English paper on, say, Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ I’ll listen to my Sarah Chang Mendelsshohn CD at the same time because it helps me memorize the notes.”—page 54
I recently enjoy seeing Paula Yoo on an author’s discussion panel about Asian American fiction. After her stand-out, hilarious presentation, speaking about her book and her life, I was anxious to read her,...more
This was one of the Golden Sower previews I didn't get to read last summer. Obviously, it didn't need my vote because it is now a nominee for the Golden Sower Award. I really, really liked it. The protagonist reminded me of Sara (violin player who hates olives and loves a cute trumpet player.) I loved the themes: Having a gift, having a dream and making choices. Really a great YA book even though I skipped all the recipe parts--pretty much like I skipped all the football parts in your book, Chri...more
I loved this book because it really seems like it could be real. I got a sense of what the asian american culture is like. I'm just glad that I don't get that much pressure from my parents. It's not exactly what I expected but that just made it all the more real to me.
Good Enough is semiautobiographical novel about Patti Yoon's quest to become the Perfect Korean Daugher (PKD). That would mean: getting 2300 on her SATs, getting into HARVARDYALEPRINCETON (yep, it's one word), and not talking to boys. She is extraordinary talented, especially in music, but doesn't exactly follow the third rule, as she has sorta has a relationship with a cute guy and sneaks out to see rock concerts. The lists scattered throughout the book is the funniest part.
I found the ending t...more
I found the ending t...more
I can't begin to list why I love this book.
The racial inequities, the complete lack of cliches throughout the whole novel, the absolute reality of high school, and the brilliance of how as a musician, it really shines through.
I love this book. I'd shove it in everyone's face if I could - everyone who'd GET it, you know?
Oh my gosh. Book starts off with music.
I AM a violist - and I DO get the viola jokes. Made me laugh. And I GET the Top 10 Reasons For Bad Auditions - WHY? Because it's happened...more
The racial inequities, the complete lack of cliches throughout the whole novel, the absolute reality of high school, and the brilliance of how as a musician, it really shines through.
I love this book. I'd shove it in everyone's face if I could - everyone who'd GET it, you know?
Oh my gosh. Book starts off with music.
I AM a violist - and I DO get the viola jokes. Made me laugh. And I GET the Top 10 Reasons For Bad Auditions - WHY? Because it's happened...more
1 like · like · see review
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 t...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hello yo | 1 | 4 | Mar 15, 2013 01:51pm | |
| Similar books | 1 | 11 | Oct 18, 2009 03:35am |
From http://www.paulayoo.com/bio
Paula Yoo is an acclaimed children’s book author and novelist, TV drama screenwriter, and musician. Paula’s TV writing credits include NBC’s The West Wing, FOX’s Tru Calling, The N (Paramount/MTV cable network)’s Beyond the Break, The CW’s Hidden Palms, and LIFETIME’s Side Order of Life.
She graduated with a B.A. cum laude in English from Yale University, an M.S. in...more
More about Paula Yoo...
Paula Yoo is an acclaimed children’s book author and novelist, TV drama screenwriter, and musician. Paula’s TV writing credits include NBC’s The West Wing, FOX’s Tru Calling, The N (Paramount/MTV cable network)’s Beyond the Break, The CW’s Hidden Palms, and LIFETIME’s Side Order of Life.
She graduated with a B.A. cum laude in English from Yale University, an M.S. in...more
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
