Saturday, January 26, 2019

I’m OK by Patti Kim - OPTIONAL


I’m OK by Patti Kim, 278 pages.  Atheneum (Simon), 2018.  $17

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Since Ok’s father died, he and is mother have struggled to keep ends meeting.  Ok, 12,  brainstorms ideas to help his mom, including winning the school talent show $100 prize (though he says he has no talents) or braiding girls’ hair for $1.  When his mom starts dating again, Ok is only more confused and hurt. 

Like Front Desk by Kelly Yang and Save Me a Seat by Weeks and Varadarajan, I’m OK tries to bring us into the life of a recent immigrant.  Unfortunately, Ok’s tale is kind of all over the place, making it hard to fully develop empathy.  The details are funny – like learning to roller skate, but as a cohesive whole it fails to evoke deep emotion.  Reasonable paperback option to grow your diverse collection.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS


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