I'm Ok

I'm Ok #1

by Patti Kim

Ok Lee knows it’s his responsibility to help pay the bills. With his father gone and his mother working three jobs and still barely making ends meet, there’s really no other choice. If only he could win the cash prize at the school talent contest! But he can’t sing or dance, and has no magic up his sleeves, so he tries the next best thing: a hair braiding business.

It’s too bad the girls at school can’t pay him much, and he’s being befriended against his will by Mickey McDonald, the unusual girl with a larger-than-life personality. Who needs friends? They’d only distract from his mission, and Ok believes life is better on his own. Then there’s Asa Banks, the most popular boy in their grade, who’s got it out for Ok.

But when the pushy deacon at their Korean church starts wooing Ok’s mom, it’s the last straw. Ok has to come up with an exit strategy—fast.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Friendship, Family, Death

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

Patti Kim was born in Busan, Korea, and immigrated to the United States on Christmas of 1974 with her mother, father, and older sister. At the age of five, she thought she was a writer and scribbled gibberish all over the pages of her mother's Korean-English dictionary and got in big trouble for it. Her scribbling eventually paid off. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Maryland. She lives with her husband and two daughters who give her plenty to write about every day.

Reviews

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. GOODREADS LOST MY FIRST REVIEW, GRR. Okay, spoilers abound.

I really liked this to begin with, but by the end, Ok got straight-up MEAN. Blackmailing Asa because he was illiterate? That's a damn dick move, and I don't care how mean he was to you beforehand.

There was just so much unresolved conflict/tension -- what was the deal with the deacon and all the life insurance policies?? Okay, you explain it away by saying "those old biddies are just jealous," but we've been inside Ok's head and we're too invested for that to suffice. And let's talk about how much time really elapsed from his dad dying to the deacon moving in on his mom! At my best estimation, mere MONTHS before they were dating, and the wedding couldn't have happened any more than BARELY A YEAR after the dad's death. And they want to blame Ok for not being open-minded or -hearted enough?

I just dunno, mang. This book started off with really good intentions and left me instead feeling like no one was likeable and the only likeable, trustable person was Mickey, who was a bit player to begin with. I understand the mom was stressed, but she was such a dang b* to Ok, over and over. And he was a jerk overall too!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite an usually dark book for a middle grade student. A young boy named Ok lives with his widowed mom who is struggling to make ends meet after the death of OKs father in a freak accident. The mother works three jobs and begins to take interest in a church member who Ok doesn’t like. The book is very sad and contains a lot of racism towards our narrator which contributed to the dark theme. The book was well written but I’m not sure what sort of audience it is trying to attract.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting 20 years for a kids book with Korean Baptist Church in it, and this one is good enough to win the Newbery. The grief feels real, the things Ok and his mom do to save money feel real, his desperation to take care of his mom and be the man of the family feel real. Also, the writing is great. I'm Ok is the total package.

[kati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. What a disappointment. When I started I was expecting another Front Desk (love!) but it was very unlikable and unrealistic and gave me a bad feeling.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ok's dad suddenly passes away, he tries to help his mother make ends meet but ends up struggling more than just with the financial end of things.

Ok is in middle school. His parents moved to the US from Korea, and his name is pronounced like 'pork' but without the 'p' and 'r'. All is fine, until his father falls from a roof and dies, leaving Ok's mother struggling terribly to make ends and meet. Ok decides to help out by braiding hair for pay at school, but it this doesn't bring the riches he'd hoped. When the deacon at church starts to move in on his mother's life—a man Ok doesn't like—he realizes he might be getting in the way of things.

While there are humorous moments, this is a read with heavy undercurrents. Racism plays a big role as the kids at school single out Ok, keeping him on the outskirts of the class. One boy in particular is harsh in the bullying. Not all of the bullying is racism, however. Ok's developing friend also suffers verbal turmoil for completely other reasons, making it clear that the school has a pretty difficult atmosphere. While the racism aspect is well done, it wasn't a topic Ok (or his mother) hits head-on. He doesn't like the treatment and lashes back in a natural but not kind way. The whole topic of racism ends up sliding in as a more rounded bullying issue than settling into a topic in and of itself...which is probably a more realistic and natural response in most school yards.

The Korean church and women in it was a funny, nice touch. Especially the Deacon is well done as it's not clear whether it's Ok or his mother who are seeing the man for who he really is. Ok's mother dates the man extremely quickly after the father's death (within a couple of months), and when compared with the job end of things, all of it was squished pretty quickly into the time frame. One of the Deacon's biggest secrets, insurance sales, is never explained and hangs as a loose end.

Ok as well as the two main sub characters are harsh in their interactions, which came across pretty mean at times. Still, the building friendships happen smoothly, believable and is are an inspiration. But this harsh side strings through the entire book, especially when Ok takes a pretty nasty personality turn for a while. While it was nice to see him forgiven for his mean actions later, the lack of true consequences didn't necessarily leave the best message to readers of that age group.

All in all, this was an engaging read with lots of food for thought . The themes are realistic and hit a nerve for not only middle graders. While not everyone in the intended age group will feel at home in this story, when placed in the right hands, it's a book which holds until the last page and leaves the reader thinking.

I received a complimentary copy and found it interesting enough to leave my honest thoughts.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it would be a light, funny candidate for booktalking to middle schoolers in January 2020. Something about the cover (yellow! orange! white!), which includes a kid falling over in roller skates (not funny IRL, I'm very aware, but many books would play that for laughs). The summaries I read also highlighted Ok's relationship with Mickey, who is billed as a "larger-than-life" character on the flap.

But the thing is, neither of these characters are particularly funny. What they are is real.
For me, the theme that came through was how much it sucks to need more money than you have. Class, poverty, working poor, economic instability.... there are a lot of words for this stuff, but what this book pushes through is the very real trauma that kids living on the poverty line deal with.
The cute anecdote referenced on the flap as a "get-rich-quick scheme"? That is literally about paying his household bills.

I did end up taking this to the local middle school, as I think it's a real mirror book for many kids in my region. But instead of mis-selling this as a comedic book, I took a section from pages 103-4, where Ok talks about the stress that phonecalls from Korea add to his household. It was a very popular booktalk.

kw: ownvoices, immigration

[Rana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been eyeing this book for a while, but ended up being kind of disappointed. After his father passed away, Ok's mom is working 3 jobs to make ends meet. Ok tries to find ways to earn money to contribute to the household finances. In the process, we learn he is not popular and sometimes picked on. He begins to build a friendship with a classmate who helps him to come out of his shell. Unfortunately, coming out of his shell also shows that he can be a selfish jerk. He finds out a classmate is illiterate and essentially blackmails him. He blows up at his only friend. He treats his mother's boyfriend, and sometimes his mother, really poorly. I mean, yes, in some ways, this is typical middle school behavior, but when it's put in print like this, it's hard to feel sympathetic toward the main character. At the end of it all, he's not really a likable protagonist.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok Lee is struggling with poverty, which only gets worse when his father dies and his mother can't make ends meet. He is struggling to make friends in a school where he's the only Asian kid and an outsider. But Ok is a kid who is resilient and even when he makes the wrong choices,he faces the consequences and pushes on, trying to solve his problems. One of things that makes this book unique is that readers get to see Ok with his father for a good portion of the book. Most children's books that deal with the death of a parent just tell readers rather than show them the relationship. Ok is a great character. He's funny, smart, and he really has a good heart. Here's hoping we haven't seen the last of Ok Lee. Review from e-galley.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this one, but ended up finding it really disappointing. Inconsistent secondary characters with poorly defined motivations and voices that dipped in and out of slang and dialect. Weird loose ends left hanging...like, WTF with the Deacon and his life insurance policies?! I liked the main character pretty well and feel like there's a compelling story about him the author was trying to tell..I just had trouble uncovering it.

[Brian Paquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ok's voice. He was funny and heartfelt and honest. This is a great read. I loved the story and several moments where I laughed so hard tears were in my eyes. I still can't help laughing at a sneeze/fart joke, even at my age :) I cared about all the characters in this book, which hasn't happened to me in a while. Well written with a lot of heart.

[Katie Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money is a big obstacle in this book. This book had so many plot turns that I was always intrigued. I always wanted to keep reading. This book not only shows the battles that a young boy who lost their father goes thought but also what it is like to be an immigrant from Korea.
Ok has been told that he is now the man of the house after his dad dies. One of the biggest issues is that because of his dad's death, he and his mom have no money. Ok is a loner and he is fine with that. That is until he becomes friends with Mickey. With all the money issues going on he tries to think of ways to make money and fast to help his mom. The school's talent show is coming up and the prize is $100 but he doesn't have a talent. One day he sees the women in his apartment doing some lady's hair and he gets an idea. He could start his own hair business. The issue he later learned is that kids don't have a lot of money. After weeks of braiding girls' hair, he barely made $50. At that time his mom starts to date a member of their church. Ok is not fine with that. he doesn't like him. He thinks the man is trying too hard and then he thinks he sees the man taking money from the church. Ok thinks that his mom is going to give him the boot if they ever get married. One day while out shopping he sees a tent. It is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Once he gets enough money he is going to buy it and make his escape.
Honestly, there is so much that happens in this book and I don't want to give away the ending so you will have to read it to find out!

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself quite emotional reading this middle grade novel that reads like a memoir but is actually fiction. Ok, a middle school boy, (the author describes so well how to pronounce this Korean name that I read it right in my head the whole time) is dealing with his father’s recent death and the financial troubles he and his mom have now. It’s about being lonely, learning to braid, supporting a struggling mom but also what happens when you finally make a friend. Lots of unexpected goodness in this book.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

5th Grade and up.

I'm Ok was just okay to me.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle grade read, inclusive and diverse. Excellent character development, caught middle school life and vibe just right.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this author's previous books, but I will certainly check them out after reading this one. Although there are still some unresolved issues in the book and it can be hard to like the protagonist, the author does a great job of capturing middle grade life for Ok Lee whose family moved from Korea to the United States in search of a better life. Like all of us, they had dreams of owing a house and making money. But after Ok's father dies in a fall, he and his mother are struggling financially. She balances several jobs and makes kimchi on the side to help pay the bills. Still, they are barely keeping their heads above water, and the cupboards are bare. Things get so bad that they must downsize from a two-bedroom apartment to a one-bedroom. Ok decides that he needs to be a man and earn some cash and comes up with several schemes, including braiding hair and participating in the school talent show. Although nothing goes as he plans, he does find friendship in two unlikely sources: Mickey, a loud girl with a unique fashion sense who teaches him how to roller skate, and Asa, the school heartthrob who has a secret about his ability to read. Ok and his mother have never really taken the time to mourn his father who loved many American icons, especially his Mercury Cougar automobile, actor Clint Eastwood and Marlboro cigarettes, and despite the man's flaws, Ok misses him terribly. When a deacon from their church seems to be pursuing his mother romantically, Ok becomes convinced that his mother no longer loves him. He uses his earnings to buy a tent and runs away from home, setting up camp near the house his father once dreamed of renovating. While some reviewers regarded him as mean and unlikable, I found all of his actions pretty true to life and considered the mistakes he made and his tough-guy attitude to be a front, covering up his fears. It's clear that he has a caring heart, seen through his treatment of the stray cat he keeps running across. While sometimes I couldn't understand his actions, they seemed appropriate for a middle grader whose life is changing faster than he can handle and whose home life is no more a sanctuary than school. One of the scenes that particularly struck me in revealing how lonely and isolated he was occurred when Mickey invited him over to her place, the first time a classmate had ever done so. He hadn't even been invited to classmates' birthday parties. There is depth to this novel if readers only take the time to look for it.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok Lee is not doing so ok since his father died in a fall in August. Oh, he says he's fine. But he sees the financial issues building at home and knows his Omma is struggling. He becomes a bit obsessed with figuring out how to make more money to help ends meet, but he's got to make sure he keeps his grades up so he can fulfill his dad's dream of why they came to America from Korea in the first place. He's rather upset about the widower Deacon Koh showing interest in Omma. He struggles to know how to be a good friend to Mickey who extends him an olive branch, and he's completely clueless in how to deal with the bully who taunts him.

This isn't necessarily an easy read, and it is also a bit odd in that it is more of a chronological story of watching a kid not deal with grief well over almost a year (which it doesn't spell out until the end). There's no clear plot driving the story, just following Ok around through a series of events, some of which aren't even related. It does present one of the faces that grief can take (of which there are so very many). I do appreciate that it does a good job of representing 1st generation Korean American culture well and issues many Korean immigrants face. (I have worked over a decade at a school that has a high percentage of Koreans and I lived in Korea for a year.) Unfortunately, I have known more than a few Oks whose parents have been so focused on jobs and providing for the future they tend to miss what's really going on deeper with their kids mostly because they are just too busy. This story is 100% plausible. Maybe it is a good read to remind people that you rarely know what all is going on in someone's life, and perhaps everyone needs a bit more grace than we give them. I like Mickey a lot in this story for her pluck, self-confidence, and the way she is a relentless friend for Ok. He learns some great lessons from her. This wasn't my favorite read of the week, but it definitely has its good points. Hand this to kids who like realistic stories of people facing hard times, those looking for stories of Korean Americans, and those who are trying to build their empathy muscles.

Notes on content: Around three minor swear words. No sexual content. Some bullying that doesn't get too violent. Ok's father's death from a fall is described a little. Some stealing and trespassing, but characters have to pay it back and learn a lesson.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

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
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

As half Korean, this particular quote really resonated with me:

"My ramen is the best. My father's was pretty good too. He used to melt a slice of American cheese into his, turning the soup creamy. It was very tasty for about two minutes, and then the gas and cramps would kick in. I'm not on friendly terms with lactose."


I may be lactose intolerant too but my mom's ramen, with a slice of American cheese & diced green onions, is still my favorite comfort food.

[Debo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, sweet story. I love YA books, and this one surprised me at how real and honest it felt. I liked the characters, an unconventional main character dealing with grief and angst as a young Korean American. I like the description language and writing style . I think the author has fresh voice and enjoyed her sense humor. I would certainly recommend.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and charming.


The Deacon’s storyline was wrapped up a bit too easily for my taste.

[EJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i reallllly struggled to finish this. it was??? so disjointed? and seemed almost nonlinear at times except that it wasn't actually, so it was just confusing.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok's parents left Korea for a better life when Ok was a baby.
Ok's dad is a carpenter and dies from a tragic fall, leaving Ok and his mom to struggle.
Mom sews cuffs, works as a teller and makes the best kimchi which she sells to members of the
First Korean Full Gospel Church. Ok wants to help and thinks of ways to make money - he comes up with braiding hair.
Now Ok is kind of an outsider, he's the butt of jokes with some the the guys, especially a class favorite Asa. Ok learns a secret about Asa and uses it as leverage.
There's another outsider - Mickey, who Ok becomes friends with - this has probably been his first friend, and she teaches him a lot, by example, about being a friend.
Meanwhile, one of the church bachelor Deacons is being very helpful, taking Ok and his mom out to lunch and dinner. Buying the dads car (mom doesn't drive and in learning about her trying to learn, we get a glimpse of how dad treated the family). Ok doesn't like the deacon, he's trying too hard, but his mother doesn't have the same perception and he gets closer to his mom.
Ok is and isn't friends with Mickey and Asa, he does things to drive them away.
But he comes to realize that '...friendship is magic and friends don't let friends drive drunk. Friends care." pg 262
Ok is grieving, and has his own hauntings. We learn a bit more about his dad's accident.
(Now hopefully dad stopped at the store before he went to work that day to get what he needed.)

This book has a bully, but mostly it's about Ok finding and accepting his way. Working though a variety of challenges as he does.

Chapter 50 is pretty much a recap of everything that happens in the book.

A Korean folk song: pg 274
"Just as there are many stars in the clear sky,
There are many dreams in our hearts.
There, over there is the Paektu Mountain,
Where even in the winter days, flowers bloom."

[lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book was attempting to be something like Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly or See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng, but it wasn't anywhere near as great as those books. Still, it was OK (HA! Mickey would freakin' love that!) and I am happy to have another Asian American author who writes about Asian families to recommend to people. #weneeddiversebooks after all.

OK is having a hard time. His father has recently passed away, and his mother is struggling to pay the bills. He's getting picked on by Asa, the school bully, and his braiding business is having a hard time taking off. Much like Hello Universe, and See You in the Cosmos his life starts to pick up as he slowly befriends Mickey, and surprisingly Asa, and focuses on winning the school talent show.

I really think the reason why this book didn't quite do it for me is that there was too much happening. OK's family problems weren't focused on much because of his school problems, but his school problems didn't seem so bad because his life at home was falling apart. However, he faced some serious racism from his classmates, and I wish more had been made about that, especially since he became friends with two people who said racist things to him. I liked that the story made a vague attempt to show that you can forgive someone who told you things out of ignorance and even find common ground with them. (Although I really, really wish Asa had apologized like Mickey does.) Also, OK faced an incredible pressure to try to keep his mother afloat financially, but that wasn't discussed much, although he certainly shows a mind for entrepreneurship.

Anyway, this is a good book, with a decent ending, especially for those looking for diverse characters.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Ok from South Korea wants to help his mom, especially since she's taking on more jobs since his father died, but it's not enough. If he could win the talent show at school, that would really help, but what would be his talent that he could do alone, since he has no real friends? In fact, what he has is an enemy--Asa, who's the most popular boy in school, but a racist bully.

Ok learns to braid hair and is making a business plan to braid hair, but his principal learns about it and nixes the idea of doing business transactions in school. Ok ends up in the girls' bathroom, crying and a girl named Mickey finds him but also says she'll squeal about him being in the bathroom unless he braids her hair whenever she wants it done.

As if these aren't enough problems, now the deacon at the church is wowing his mother and even giving Ok attention and strangely enough, so is the bully Asa. All Ok wants to do is escape and run away, especially since he and Mickey who have become friends didn't win the talent contest, but Asa did and Ok knows his secret that should never have allowed him to win. Ok also knows a secret about mom's deacon friend.

When Ok decides to get away from people, he comes to learn they need him as much as he needs them.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stealth bomber of a book. As Ok (say "pork" and drop the "p" and "r") tells his story, you don't realize this boy is sneaking right into your heart. I admit that at first I was not sure this book was going to come together. What kept me going was the blurbs on the cover from two other #ownvoice authors praising the book as "true" and "profound honesty." By the end, I got it. How can I know what it is like to be a preteen Korean-American boy who loses his father at such a formative age? Reading this book gives an incredible window into Ok's experience. His ongoing commentary is at times hilarious and heartbreaking. I am enthralled by the image of him on stage with Mickey in their roller skates while she effortlessly twirls in her red costume and he does the robot. Love his entrepreneurial spirit as he braids one head of hair after another and his relationship with his omma. And that little cat Cyclops! This book is one I will not forget for quite a while.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The irresistibly charming Ok Lee mans the helm of this funny and heartwarming story. After the death of his father, Ok, fiercely loyal to his overworked mother, starts a hair-braiding business in order to help her make ends meet. Ever the outcast, Ok is befriended by a quirky and confident classmate who attempts to teach him how to roller skate for their upcoming performance in the school talent show. Meanwhile, the school bully might not be quite as tough as he seems and may need Ok's help just as much as Ok needs friends. To top it all off, the deacon at their local Korean church is awfully insistent on wooing Ok's mother. But not if Ok has anything to say about it!
Author Patti Kim has written a middle grade novel that champions the underdog and highlights the resourcefulness of one determined young man.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story and the themes involving racism, poverty and making friends. I had a hard time connecting with Ok and his mom. Having recently lost his dad, Ok is looking for ways to help his mom earn money. The idea he comes up with starts a path towards friends at school. But somewhere along the way, he gets mean and makes some very poor choices and it seems so out of character and a little off putting. I liked learning a little bit more about the Korean culture and I liked his friends- they are pretty cool. There is one or two mild swears and some mild violence, references to adults smoking and drinking. This story might speak to others more so than it spoke to me, but realistic fiction fans who like a story with hope (at the very very end) will enjoy this read. 6th grade and up.

[Ta'Neisha Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this along with my son and we enjoyed the dynamics of friendship, family, and problem-solving. This story features Ok Lee and his mother facing life after losing their family's hero. Ok now has to watch his mother sell his father's possessions and work extra jobs just to make ends meet. On top of all that he's dealing with grief, middle school, and a local deacon that is clearly trying to be his stepfather. Many topics are covered in this book including friendship, temptation, peer pressure, forgiveness, and single parenthood. My son liked that in the end the harsh seasons of his life were better and his family was moving forward. This book allows an opportunity for great discussions with older children. **Be mindful of the handful of foul words in this book.** We both recommend this book for teens ages 13 and up.

[Arissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book and I did at first. Ok, the main character has just lost his dad and his mom is doing everything in her power to make ends meet. In their hustle to survive, it seems they forget to grieve. I think this book is too heavy for a middle schoolers and the main character becomes very nasty towards his friends when the book is winding down. It’s his way of coping through his grief however the author doesn’t explain that. These are some big issues for a little hearts to handle. I would not recommend this for middle grades.

I will say, that I laughed out loud reading this book and that rare for me. I also enjoyed the author’s description of the Korean food. As well as what we do when life gets tough. She definitely made some great points of doing what we have to, to survive.

[Meaghan Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. This book was about a twelve-year-old boy who's mother works all the time and his father passed away. His mother struggles to make ends meet even though she works three jobs. Ok Lee feels as though he needs to help with the bills. There is a talent show at his school where the inner takes home $100. The only problem is that Ok claims he has no talent. He takes on many challenges to attempt to help his mother out. This book offers important print content. It discusses hardships that a little boy faces with watching his mother struggle as well as live without his father. This book would be important for teachers to put on their book selection list for that same reason. It is important for children to understand that if they or their family is struggling, that they are not alone and it gets better.