Park, Patricia. What’s Eating Jackie Oh? Crown, 4/2024. 327pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-56341-0. GRADES 8–12. ADDITIONAL.
Jackie Oh wants to be a professional chef, while her Korean American parents want her to be a lawyer like them. Park’s engaging and fast-paced coming-of-age story showcases the difficulties of being a third-generation immigrant, living up to parental expectations, and trying to fit in with your school friends—all while learning about your own personal identity. When she gets a chance to be on a teen cooking show that films in Los Angeles instead of her hometown of New York City, Jackie works hard to be the best and most creative, hoping to prove to her parents that she can be a chef. Jackie’s story shows readers that you can honor yourself and your culture while also striving to be a TV show contest winner.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library