Sunday, June 21, 2020

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim - ESSENTIAL

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim 306 pages. Kokila, Penguin Random House, 2020. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Yumi Chung is about to start middle school, but her parents are not rich, so unless she can score high on the placement test, she won't be able to attend Winston Prep on scholarship. Yumi is enrolled in a morning test-prep class to get that high test score, but, Yumi doesn't want to go to a prestigious college. Yumi wants to be a stand up comic! So, when a case of mistaken identity lands her in an afternoon comedy summer camp, taught by her favorite stand up vlogger Jasmine Jasper, Yumi jumps at the chance to follow her dream.

I loved so many things about Jessica Kim's story. It's hilarious - the kids who love Patterson's "I funny" will find a similar read - but this is less corny jokes and more how to be a comic. Yumi's parents own a Korean Barbecue, so we see Yumi helping out with the restaurant, lots of Korean dishes and Korean culture. She keeps a comedy notebook which is delightful - on lined paper in kid-writing, Yumi's notes are great. All in all, a marvelous read that I'm looking forward to recommending!

Lisa Librarian 

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