I loved this book! The Asian and Muslim representation was *chef’s kiss* and will be a great read for middle grade. Everything felt so authentic and not like the stereotypical versions we typically see in books. I loved Gigi’s personality and how she broke every artist stereotype (and Asian ones too). She isn’t that one Asian kid who’s supposed to be good at math and her character just had so many layers and she felt real.

This was a cute and quick middle grade read about an industrious Asian American girl who starts a tutoring club to fund her dreams of attending an art camp.

What I enjoyed:
- I always love seeing Asian American representation in middle grade books (and I appreciated that the love interest was half-Asian and half-white).
- The story was fast paced and easy to consume.
- I would probably read the next book(s) in the series to find out what happens next for Gigi.

What didn't quite work for me:
- The story didn't have quite as much depth as I would have liked to see. The stakes didn't feel particularly high, and the barriers that Gigi faced throughout the book were easily overcome. I don't mind a positive, bubbly middle grade read, but I do think the author could have dug a little deeper with some of her themes.
- The protagonist is supposed to be in 7th grade, but the writing and themes felt quite a bit younger. I imagine my 5th and 6th grade students would probably find the book to be a little young for them.

Thank you to Net Galley for my advanced reader copy!

Short and sweet! A worthy chapter book follow-up to THE BABYSITTERS CLUB. Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aladdin for the ARC. Gigi Shin wants to go to art camp but her hardworking parents think she should do something more academic. Gigi and her friends decide to earn the money for camp by tutoring students. As this stars out as a good idea, new situations show that they might be in over their heads. Must have for school Libraries.

Gigi Shin is a Korean American middle school student. She has a small circle of three friends that have similar interests, art. By all accounts, they are all extremely talented artists and they all are good at different subjects in school which becomes the driving force for them to make money. Their art teacher has offered the class an opportunity to attend a prestigious art camp the following summer which they will have to apply for. Knowing her parents would be against the art school, as they want Gigi to excel in science and math, she, behind their backs, starts a tutoring club called the Ace Squad, so she and her friends can make money to attend the school in New York City if they are excepted.
This sweet little chapter book is perfect for readers who enjoy great characters and girls who are self motivated to fight for their dreams. Not to say, there isn’t the typical girl drama, boy crush and parental disappointment, this book delivers a great message on how to deal with difficult situations and find answers to solving problems harmoniously. It ends with the prospect of another adventure for these girls and wondering if all their dreams come true

I would like to thank #netgalley and #simonandshusterchildrensoublishing for the opportunity to read this book.

I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Middle school brings both challenges and joy for Gigi Shin. She wants to be an artist but her parents prefer her to study science and math. Her art teacher shares about a special camp for artists. She knows her parents won't support this so comes up with a way to raise money to pay for it herself. Together with three friends, she forms a tutoring club. The four girls work out issues and help several students improve their understanding of different academic areas.
This is the first in this series that has been compared to The Babysitters Club series. It's a similar light writing style with undercurrents addressing more serious parts of friendship and families. Lee offers hints of possible situations in future books as she wraps this one with a happy conclusion.

Gigi Shin loves art. She dreams of becoming an artist some day. Her parents think she needs for focus on math or science, something worth while. In Art class she learns about a prestigious summer art camp called Starscape. Gigi wants to go, but know her parents can’t afford to send her even if she gets accepted. She decides to start a tuturing program afterschool with her friends. Gigi’s parents find out about and are not happy, especially since she received a bad grade on a quiz. They feel it is taking up her studying time. Will she get accepted to camp & will her parents let her continue the tutoring? Read to find out!!

I enjoyed reading about Gigi-her friendship, her struggles & her perseverance, I can’t wait to see what happens to her next.

The first in a middle grade series perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitters Club, following a young Korean American girl who starts a tutoring business with her best friends to support her artistic dreams. Being in seventh grade isn't easy, especially when you want to pursue a art program that your parents can't afford and prove to them that you are serious about your career. Jiyoung "Gigi" Shin dreams about being an artist, she lives and breathes art. Yet it's not something her working class, immigrant parents want her to focus on, rather they'd have her pursue a more practical career. So when a prestigious art program appears, Gigi is determined to get in, even if it means starting her own tutoring business with her best friends to raise money... but nothing is ever easy especially when her childhood friend/crush and the most popular boy in school asks her to tutor him... and her friend also likes him. Family drama, crushes, friendship, and being in seventh grade, this was such a charming and cute book. I related so much to Jiyoung as an Asian American kid who wanted to be an artist. This book was adorable and just a really cute read, I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series and can't wait to see what Gigi and her friends get up to next!

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Aladdin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*