I don't read a ton of young adult these days but the cover was fun and the premise intriguing. It was an interesting book but I was not expecting so much going on in one book and some decidedly unexpected themes that are heavier than the cute cartoon cover would imply.
Jackie Oh is a high school student whose parents expect great things from her (even though she's currently failing a high school class.) Going on a teen cooking show is not one of them. But she's determined to win.
I thought she was well developed but there were a couple of other story lines that felt like they were tacked on and I wish we had actually learned more.

Three stars
This book comes out April 30, 2024
ARC kindly provided by Random House Children's and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This was a great read! I loved the metaphor of blending food from different traditions - it was both symbolically powerful and frankly delicious to read about. Read this one with a snack handy., you'll get hungry.

2024 API Month

▪️ Korean American author, Korean American main character
▪️ tw: generational trauma, incarceration, race based violence, racism, undocumented immigrants

I know, I know. You see me reading YA, and you're like, "What? Why? Mai, you're such a hater!" I'm well aware. I have come to the conclusion that it is non-BIPOC YA I don't resonate with. The popular white girl that goes to all the parties? I could never. But the not-as-studious-as-her-parents-want-her-to-be Asian American? Oh, I could.

Part 1

Jackie Oh, named for Jackie O, is a New Yorker that loves food and cooking more than being studious. Her brother is in prison for armed robbery. Neither things are the Korean American Dream.

Mom is a lawyer. Dad is in finance. Both are workaholics that spend more time in their offices than the sparse condo they bought.

Jackie works part time at her grandparents' deli in midtown. I had to laugh at this, because my sister's Korean Am boyfriend also owns a deli. Cross-cultural giggles.

As such, Jackie spends more of her time with her grandparents than parents. It truly takes a village.

Jackie ends up skipping her history exam in favor of auditioning for a cooking show for teens. I don't think this is a spoiler, as the cover obviously shows her cooking. Needless to say, mom and grandma aren't pleased. As always, what really got me was the casual racism of the TV show hosts, and also, her public school teacher.

Part 2

As soon as I sat down to read this part, I flew through it. I love it. We got so much more. From the other contestants. From mom. From Jackie herself. I’m not sure which boy she’ll be romancing. Not that she needs to romance anyone.

I know it feels racist (especially from Jackie's perspective) that the judges want her to incorporate more Korean into her cooking, but fusion is one of the best things to come from colonization. Army stew is this wonderful mishmash of flavors that would've never come about had the US not involved itself in the Korean War. I'm not saying they needed to be there. I'll leave that out of today's debate.

Part 3

Jackie really comes into her own. She makes up with distant friend KT, has a reconciliation with her family, and improves her New York style cooking.

I felt like she had a few contenders for a love interest. It ended up being the most obvious one, which is fine, but I'm not sure she needed one at all. This book would've shown on its own just featuring her.

📚 Buddy read with Christina

This YA book made me tear up more than once. 😭 It strikes that perfect balance between laugh out loud hilarious and multi-layered and deep. The main character, Jackie Oh, is flunking out of history class because she’s so hyper focused on her obsession with cooking. This is a disappointment to her parents who have Ivy League degrees and expect her to go to an Ivy League school and major in something more practical like business or law (their respective degrees).

Jackie spends all of her free time working at H&H’s restaurant Melty’s (a sandwich shop that caters to the white palette in NYC). H&H are her grandparents (Halmoni and Haraboji) who support her love of cooking by watching the show Burn Off! together and challenging each other to cooking competitions off-hours after Melty’s has closed. Jackie applies to the Burn Off show for teenagers as a contestant, behind her parent’s back. When she gets on the show, she experiences immense growth that tests both her skills as a chef and her character as she finds out her cooking idol, Chef Stone, is quite frankly racist.

I loved the intersectionality the author brought to this book in the form of so many important issues. This wasn’t just a book on the Asian American experience but so much more:
- food insecurity
- undocumented immigrants
- immigrants using leftovers to not waste food
- Asians catering to white people’s tastes
- incarceration rates of Asian Americans
- white supremacy in the form of a hell of a lot of micro-aggressions
- targeted AAPI hate and violence
- white fragility (Judge Stone criticizing Jackie for not making fancy food and for not being Korean enough and getting offended when Judge Kelly defended Jackie)
- generational trauma and healing of family dynamics
- tricky friendship dynamics between her best friend KT
- the classism that comes with the cooking industry (calling Jackie’s food “glorified street food” as an insult because the chefs wouldn’t pay $300 for street food)

This book was so creative and it touched on my love for complex family dynamics, deep character growth, and food. I cannot imagine this book would be as fun if you aren’t a foodie like me so take that with a grain of salt. 😉 I adore learning how to become a better cook and experimenting with different fusions of flavors and cultures. It was so fun to see Jackie’s creativity and perseverance as she navigated the cooking challenges and the micro aggressions. I cannot praise this YA book enough. We need more YA books with American Asian representation like this. Happy AAPI month!

Jackie Oh is a normal high school teen just trying to survive to graduation. Although her parents have extremely high academic expectations for Jackie, her passion is more into cooking, than academics. Her life changes, when she is selected for a teen challenge in Burn Off! (kind of like the adult Chopped tv cooking show). Her mom and dad are mad because she missed her history final. She had a tiff with her best friend. Her brother is in jail, and now she has to deal with all those foodie contenders. Was not sure which direction the book was going at times, as there was a lot going on. There was teenage angst, parental relationships, teen romance, family issues, and career passions. Sometimes the Korean writing threw me off, as sometimes I was not sure if the next part was a translation, or just put in there. Good book, and I was rooting for Jackie Oh the entire way. Thanks to Ms. Park, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Such a fun read! Knowing Korean culture, I could really see how beautifully it was folded into the story. I appreciated it. Loved everything about this book.

I enjoyed this YA fiction filled with food talk - I love food talk, love chefs/cooking in stories. Jackie Oh finds herself a new contestant on a cooking reality TV show - which I also love. Jackie's parents are overbearing and too strict but end up understanding Jacket needing to find her way and to follow her dreams. I related very much with the FMC, growing up with parents who wanted and pushed me to be a doctor. This story does also shine some light on racial basis and AAPI hate during COVID. It was a fun story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book. I finished this book in less than two days, that's how motivated I was to keep reading it. I loved the way the author's writing flowed right from the beginning. The author made Jackie a relatable character from the beginning, and didn't mind pointing out the issues AAPI persons face on a daily basis since COVID happened. It was refreshing seeing the brutally honest facts and statistics, because they NEED to be talked about and publicized in every way possible, including in fictional books based on our world. I am glad to have read this book and gain a better understanding of something I didn't have as much knowledge about before. Even fictional books can be educational.

Jackie Oh is a relatable protagonist. She’s in high school, struggling with tradition and her parents’ expectations. With her older brother in jail, Jackie feels even more pressure to be the perfect daughter and student, but she would rather pursue her real passion, cooking.

The book’s exploration of Jackie’s Korean American heritage combined with her being on a reality cooking competition provides readers with themes of cultural representation, assimilation, and self-discovery. Park also focuses on microaggressions and AAPI hate during and after the pandemic, which makes the story timely.

Even with all the serious topics, there are some lighthearted moments. I loved Jackie’s relationship with Haraboji and Halmoni (her grandparents), all the food descriptions, and being on the set of the cooking show. I would eat everything Jackie made and maybe I can because, of course, there’s recipes!

What’s eating Jackie Oh? Is a story about A Korean American 16 year-old girl who is trying to pull away from her parents expectations and stereotypes. They want her to be the perfect student, enter an ivy league school and work in corporate America. All Jackie wants to do is cook. She helps with her grandparents and their diner and she wants to become a chef. I thought there was a lot going on in this book obviously her disagreements with her parents and her scheming to get what she wants. I thought the Korean dialogue was a little distracting, and there was just so much disrespect for everyone; parents, grandparents, friends, coworkers. And then we bring into the mix a reality cooking show and all the drama with that. It said it was recommended for 12 and up. I don’t think I would recommend anyone under 16 Because of the disrespect for parents, grandparents, friends, coworkers … There are less than a handful of mild swear words and a very brief, romantic interest (Boy likes girl) So other than a few minor issues with the book, I thought it was a pretty enjoyable read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Title: What's Eating Jackie Oh?
Author: Patricia Park
Genre: YA
Rating: 3 out of 5

Jackie Oh is done being your model minority.

She just hasn’t told her second-gen Korean American parents yet. They would never understand her unconventional dream to become a professional chef. Just ask her brother Justin, who hasn't heard from them since he was sent to Rikers Island.

For now, when she isn’t avoiding studying for AP World History, Jackie is improving her French cooking techniques and working at her grandparents’ Midtown deli Melty’s.

Then the most unexpected thing: Jackie gets recruited for a casting audition for the teen edition of Burn Off!, her favorite competitive cooking show. Even more unexpected, Jackie becomes a contestant.

Jackie is thrown headfirst into the cutthroat competitive TV show world filled with psych outs, picky mom critiques, and dreaded microaggressions to lean into her heritage.

All Jackie wants to do is cook her way. But is her way to cook traditional French cuisine? Lean into her heritage? Or is it something more? To advance through the competition, Jackie must prove who she is on and off the plate.

Jackie Oh herself just didn’t work for me. I didn’t like her much at all. She had the whole I’m-a-special-snowflake mentality---but God forbid anyone treat her like a special snowflake—just let her do whatever she wants, already. It was perfectly fine for Jackie to judge everyone around her based strictly on appearances, but when someone dared judge her? Then they were narrow-minded, ignorant, and racist. While the things Jackie was so against are real issues, she was unlikable enough to make me skim over them.

The only reason I kept reading this was because of the food. Not all the food, but Jackie’s menus sounded fascinating and tasty, and I liked how she eventually got her act together and showcased the different cultures she was surrounded by. The ending was a total dud, as there was no resolution, merely a transcript of a social media posting. As a reader, I feel like the author broke my trust by leaving this story without a resolution.

Patricia Park is from Queens. What’s Eating Jackie Oh? is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/5.)

An endearing, quirky, hilarious novel! Well-written and fast paced that I couldn’t stop reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park was a really great read.
An entertaining and fun story that I absolutely enjoyed.
A thought provoking, emotional and inspirational story.
This was a powerfully written and beautifully presented story.
I loved the character development Jackie Oh goes through.
I love this story because it is a story of growth. The author takes us through Jackie Oh’s journey that is authentic, beautiful and inspiring.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House Children's | Crown Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

At first I didn't think I liked this book very much. Jackie's voice in the story was LOUD. I never read Patricia Park's first book so maybe the character in there had a similarly loud voice, I don't know. Jackie used A TON of abbreviations when she was talking (and when she was talking to herself in her head) and I didn't like that. It took a bit for me to get used to her way of speaking. I also found her to be a tough character to like because she was very opinionated and head-strong and at times too damn honest for her own good. She was in a competition with these other kids and she came off really callous to a lot of them and to the audience (in my opinion) for the TV show. I was able to understand her a bit better though as the book progressed.

I was also a little miffed because in the beginning there didn't seem to be much cooking or discussion of cooking and sometimes eve n during the TV show episodes, Jackie would just summarize who had been eliminated, what the theme was , and what dish she made. I didn't expect her to word for word describe every part of the competition but the constant summarizing felt like a bit much at times.

I also liked that there was no real romance in this story. I thought there might be something between Jackie and Stephen but I was glad it wasn't really touched on much. I think if it had been it would have really detracted from the story overall.

I enjoyed a lot of the family aspect of the novel too. Jackie and her grandparents together were really sweet and I could understand Jackie's trouble with connecting to her parents on a personal level because they were always working. I like how her parents were able to come around and support her with her dream. I thought that was a really touching moment when her father brought up how she could attend a culinary program (even if that program was still at an Ivy league school).

Part of the reason this book isn't 5 stars though is because of all the mentions of COVID (which I didn't realize would be prevalent in the story) and all of the Xenophobia that was in the story as well (that I also didn't expect). This book would benefit from a trigger warnings page. Regardless, I still enjoyed it but the ending really upset me. I wanted Jackie to win the competition and shove it in that other boys face. I also felt like you're kind of left hanging at the end there because of the random blog post? twitter post?

Can this book be ANY MORE ADORABLE!!!! I loved the characters, the humor the fact that her family is relatable and so much like mine. This book was so much fun to read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

4.2 rounded down to 4/5

Jackie Oh, a second-generation Korean American teen, is torn between her passion for cooking and the expectations of her traditional family. Park skillfully portrays Jackie's struggles with authenticity and identity, making her a relatable character for any high schooler striving to balance their dreams with familial pressure.

The novel is well-paced, keeping readers engaged as Jackie navigates the cutthroat world of a competitive cooking show while juggling her responsibilities at her grandparents' deli. Park's distinct voice and writing style shine through, enhancing the reading experience with confessionals and mouth-watering recipes that add depth to the narrative.

While the novel has its share of cliche moments and a rushed ending, Jackie's journey of self-discovery remains compelling throughout. The exploration of microaggressions and cultural expectations adds depth to the story, shedding light on the challenges faced by minority groups in pursuit of their dreams.

One aspect that could have been further developed is the relationship between Jackie's father and brother, as well as her grandfather's storyline. Despite this, "What's Eating Jackie Oh?" delivers a satisfying blend of humor, drama, and culinary delights that will leave readers craving more.

In summary, Patricia Park's "What's Eating Jackie Oh?" is a deliciously entertaining read that serves up a thought-provoking exploration of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of one's passions. It's a must-read for anyone craving a taste of YA fiction with a unique cultural twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

3.5 stars, rounded up.

What's Eating Jackie Oh is an engaging story about a Korean American girl who loves to cook, her family and the challenges they all face, plus a fun television cooking competition. I enjoyed the story and found Jackie to be a likable character who I rooted for. I think this book is perfect for younger teen readers who aren't quite ready for all the YA books with 18-19 year old protagonists and more mature topics. That said, the book does address some serious topics in an accessible way, such as the model minority myth, the impact of COVID, and anti-Asian racism and violence. My only critique is the abruptness of the ending--I would have liked to see a bit more resolution for Jackie and all the other characters.

Jackie was such a good character and I liked learning about her. She had such a strong passion for cooking and I loved seeing it. Watching her parents start to understand her passion and root for her was nice. The ending was a bit abrupt but it brought in major real life issues. I liked that it showed her castmates sticking up for her.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I mostly enjoyed the previous book I read from Patricia Park, and What’s Eating Jackie Oh? Sounded similarly promising. And while I liked the ideas presented, I found the execution a tad lacking.
Jackie Oh is a relatable protagonist, and I respect what the story was trying to do in interrogating the “model minority” archetype. I like how we see her grapple with parental pressure, especially as her parents already “lost” one child who failed them, and her true passion for cooking doesn’t fit into the mold they’ve set for her.
And the cooking competition was a lot of fun, and was a solid structure for the book itself, presenting realistic obstacles for her to battle against in her quest to prove her abilities, not to mention providing myriad food-related references.
But in the effort to create such a hard-hitting book, I feel like some of the issues got lost in the shuffle. I kept wondering if her brother being in prison would be developed more, and it wasn’t. Even the pressure and disapproval from her parents felt weirdly sidelined at times. I became very confused as to what exactly the message the reader was meant to take away from the book.
While I didn’t 100% love this, I do like the ideas presented here, even if I wish they had been more fleshed out or focused. If you’re looking for a book that interrogates the “model minority” and follows the journey of becoming oneself, I’d recommend giving this book a chance.

What's Eating Jackie Oh? is a solid book about a Korean teen wanting to break free of traditional roles being forced upon her. I love books about cooking so the fact that she wants to be a professional chef and it takes place on a cooking show brought this book to the next level. The side characters were fleshed out and endearing and I would recommend this book.