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Mindy Kim #9
Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical
Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones in this adorable chapter book series following Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girl—in this ninth novel, Mindy steps into the spotlight.
Mindy can’t wait to be in a local community theater production of Cinderella with her BFF, Sally! Mindy has her sights on the lead role. But instead of Cinderella, Mindy ends up being cast as the evil stepsister! Mindy is worried that means people might see her as mean. Can Mindy figure out a way to make the role her own?
Mindy can’t wait to be in a local community theater production of Cinderella with her BFF, Sally! Mindy has her sights on the lead role. But instead of Cinderella, Mindy ends up being cast as the evil stepsister! Mindy is worried that means people might see her as mean. Can Mindy figure out a way to make the role her own?
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2023
About the author
Lyla Lee
25 books858 followersLyla Lee is the bestselling author of books for all ages. Inspired by her Korean heritage and love of pop culture, she writes cute and sometimes swoony stories that have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Originally from South Korea, she’s lived in various cities throughout the United States, worked in Hollywood, and studied Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. She now lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit Lyla at lylaleebooks.com or on social media (Kid lit: @literarylyla and adult romance: @authorlylalee).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 11, 2026
Mindy Kim, her friends Sally and Lindsey are so excited about the upcoming musical, Cinderella.
All three of them want to be Cinderella, but only one of them gets lucky enough.
Mindy worries after being cast as one of the stepsisters that will make her be a "mean" or "bad" sister to her future younger sibling. Her dad reassures her that isn't the case.
Throw in a dramatic leading man, a harried but kind director, supportive castmates and family members, standing up against bullying and being a good friend proves that maybe its not so bad to be an evil stepsister.
Lyla Lee does a great job of addressing kid's big emotions dealing with "not being picked", communication, line-memorization, standing up for friends, among others in a fast-paced and fun way. Very cute J-Chapter for theatre fans!
All three of them want to be Cinderella, but only one of them gets lucky enough.
Mindy worries after being cast as one of the stepsisters that will make her be a "mean" or "bad" sister to her future younger sibling. Her dad reassures her that isn't the case.
Throw in a dramatic leading man, a harried but kind director, supportive castmates and family members, standing up against bullying and being a good friend proves that maybe its not so bad to be an evil stepsister.
Lyla Lee does a great job of addressing kid's big emotions dealing with "not being picked", communication, line-memorization, standing up for friends, among others in a fast-paced and fun way. Very cute J-Chapter for theatre fans!
July 3, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Mindy and her friend Sally are interested in trying out for the community play, and they ask their friend Lindsey to try out as well. Since it is a production of Cinderella, all three girls would like the starring role, so go into tryouts knowing that some of them will be disappointed. Lindsey does an excellent job, bringing the director to tears with her singing. Mindy does okay, and has some fun reading the wicked stepsister parts. Sally is nervous, but also has a decent showing. When Mindy finds out that she has been cast as a wicked step sister, she is disappointed, but her father and Julie, her new stepmother, tell her that there must have been a reason that the director, Ms. Kamper, chose her. Sally has a similar role, but Lindsey is Cinderella. The girls all work together well to ensure that the play will be a success, and Mindy and her family even help Sally memorize her lines when her parents are too busy to help. The part of Prince Charming is being played by a boy who is not particularly nice, and when he quits, Mindy points out that there is another boy who has memorized all of the parts AND who is nice, so he gets the part. Mindy, who has been concerned that there is something inherently "not nice" about her because of the casting, has been worried because Julie is pregnant, and she wants to be the best big sister to the new baby. When the audience finds her performance amusing, she is glad that it was her sense of humor that caused her to be picked for the role and not some character flaw.
Mindy and her friends' reactions to the casting of the play are very realistic; everyone wants the starring role in a play, even if they won't say it out loud. It was good to see that they were all ready to embrace their assigned roles, and that Sally and Mindy were able to be glad for their friend even though they were sad for themselves.
It has been interested watching the development of Mindy's new family. In the first book, she and her widowed father moved to a new community, and Mindy has slowly and surely come to love Julie, The addition of a half sibling will be an interesting one to investigate, and I love that both the Kims' Korean heritage and Julie's Chinese traditions are equally embraced.
The illustrations help to support the text, and will encourage readers who are moving into longer chapter books. The faces are particularly expressive, and a stage setting might be something that emergent readers might not have seen for themselves.
Readers who have successfully completed shorter chapter books like Butler's Kayla and King and Fang's Ava Lin will enjoy spending time with Mindy and her friends as they navigate elementary school. I could see Mindy sitting at a cafeteria with other fictional chapter book characters like Barnett's Ivy and Bean, Barkley's Critter Club crew, Citro's Zoey Sassafras, and Faruqi's Yasmine.
Mindy and her friend Sally are interested in trying out for the community play, and they ask their friend Lindsey to try out as well. Since it is a production of Cinderella, all three girls would like the starring role, so go into tryouts knowing that some of them will be disappointed. Lindsey does an excellent job, bringing the director to tears with her singing. Mindy does okay, and has some fun reading the wicked stepsister parts. Sally is nervous, but also has a decent showing. When Mindy finds out that she has been cast as a wicked step sister, she is disappointed, but her father and Julie, her new stepmother, tell her that there must have been a reason that the director, Ms. Kamper, chose her. Sally has a similar role, but Lindsey is Cinderella. The girls all work together well to ensure that the play will be a success, and Mindy and her family even help Sally memorize her lines when her parents are too busy to help. The part of Prince Charming is being played by a boy who is not particularly nice, and when he quits, Mindy points out that there is another boy who has memorized all of the parts AND who is nice, so he gets the part. Mindy, who has been concerned that there is something inherently "not nice" about her because of the casting, has been worried because Julie is pregnant, and she wants to be the best big sister to the new baby. When the audience finds her performance amusing, she is glad that it was her sense of humor that caused her to be picked for the role and not some character flaw.
Mindy and her friends' reactions to the casting of the play are very realistic; everyone wants the starring role in a play, even if they won't say it out loud. It was good to see that they were all ready to embrace their assigned roles, and that Sally and Mindy were able to be glad for their friend even though they were sad for themselves.
It has been interested watching the development of Mindy's new family. In the first book, she and her widowed father moved to a new community, and Mindy has slowly and surely come to love Julie, The addition of a half sibling will be an interesting one to investigate, and I love that both the Kims' Korean heritage and Julie's Chinese traditions are equally embraced.
The illustrations help to support the text, and will encourage readers who are moving into longer chapter books. The faces are particularly expressive, and a stage setting might be something that emergent readers might not have seen for themselves.
Readers who have successfully completed shorter chapter books like Butler's Kayla and King and Fang's Ava Lin will enjoy spending time with Mindy and her friends as they navigate elementary school. I could see Mindy sitting at a cafeteria with other fictional chapter book characters like Barnett's Ivy and Bean, Barkley's Critter Club crew, Citro's Zoey Sassafras, and Faruqi's Yasmine.
October 17, 2024
Mindy and her friends Sally and Lindsey have decided to try out for the community theater's summer musical. But they all want to be Cinderella and only 1 can be. Can some of them be satisfied with other roles, like evil stepsisters? Can they learn their lines? And will the mean boy cast as Prince Charming ruin the play for everyone?
This isn't as stressful as Lyla Lee could have made it. The girls' egos don't get the better of them, and they are supportive friends to each other. The mean kid problem is resolved well. They learn important lessons about working as a team in acting, and prove to themselves they can do new things even if they are a bit scary at first. I liked this little musical theater adventure for Mindy and friends. Overall, it is an entertaining summer adventure for them.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Mindy and her dad are Korean American. Mindy's stepmom is Chinese American. Her friends and cast members come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Prince Charming says some harsh things to Cinderella when she can't remember her lines, but other cast members eventually stand up to him and tell him to stop being unkind. An adult hears about it and also tells him to stop.
This isn't as stressful as Lyla Lee could have made it. The girls' egos don't get the better of them, and they are supportive friends to each other. The mean kid problem is resolved well. They learn important lessons about working as a team in acting, and prove to themselves they can do new things even if they are a bit scary at first. I liked this little musical theater adventure for Mindy and friends. Overall, it is an entertaining summer adventure for them.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Mindy and her dad are Korean American. Mindy's stepmom is Chinese American. Her friends and cast members come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Prince Charming says some harsh things to Cinderella when she can't remember her lines, but other cast members eventually stand up to him and tell him to stop being unkind. An adult hears about it and also tells him to stop.
February 9, 2025
I am continuing to enjoy this incredibly adorable series. Not only do I love seeing the diversity in this series, I especially love how Lee tackles topics that young kids might experience. I think this series also equips kids with the tools to handle situations they might experience.
This particular book really showcased what a healthy friendship the MC has with her two friends. If this was a book for an older audience, there would be a glimmer of jealousy, but this is such a pure read that it simply showed the emotions of support and happiness (which honestly, a lot of older books could use). And I reading this as an adult, was made so much more aware of how I expected the whole situation to go, hence my surprise.
There are also great conversations about mixed families and what it might be like for a younger kid to get a new addition to their family. And also, the consequences of being not so nice to the people around you.
As always, I loved this one and I will continue to recommend this series to the littles that come into my store.
Happy reading!
This particular book really showcased what a healthy friendship the MC has with her two friends. If this was a book for an older audience, there would be a glimmer of jealousy, but this is such a pure read that it simply showed the emotions of support and happiness (which honestly, a lot of older books could use). And I reading this as an adult, was made so much more aware of how I expected the whole situation to go, hence my surprise.
There are also great conversations about mixed families and what it might be like for a younger kid to get a new addition to their family. And also, the consequences of being not so nice to the people around you.
As always, I loved this one and I will continue to recommend this series to the littles that come into my store.
Happy reading!
July 27, 2023
This new installment in the Mindy Kim series involves a community theater production of Cinderella. As the author mentions in her note at the end, the book is inspired by her childhood experiences, but the book mostly feels like wish fulfillment. Mindy and two other friends audition together, and even though they have never been in a theater production before, one of them gets the lead role, and the other two get major supporting roles. It doesn't feel realistic.
I'm also not a fan of this series repeatedly using white male characters as antagonists. I get that this reflects plenty of people's experiences, but bad behavior is not limited to any race or gender. The book doesn't make any racial commentary about it, but you shouldn't be able to predict who the villain is every time a white boy shows up. I hope that the author will consider having antagonists with other backgrounds, or at least introduce significant white male side characters portrayed in a positive light.
I'm also not a fan of this series repeatedly using white male characters as antagonists. I get that this reflects plenty of people's experiences, but bad behavior is not limited to any race or gender. The book doesn't make any racial commentary about it, but you shouldn't be able to predict who the villain is every time a white boy shows up. I hope that the author will consider having antagonists with other backgrounds, or at least introduce significant white male side characters portrayed in a positive light.
August 18, 2023
First sentence: My name is Mindy Kim. It's finally summer, and my best friend, Sally, and I have really fun plans.
I've read the first book and the ninth book--none of the books in between. I normally don't read books out of sequence, but, I was intrigued with the 'summer musical' story. I love, love, love musicals. And this one is Cinderella--one of my favorites.
Mindy Kim, our heroine, is trying out for the summer musical (it is a children's production). The book shows her life at home and 'on set.' Plenty going on behind the scenes as well, and not just about the musical itself.
I may have enjoyed this one even more if I was familiar with all of the characters--family, friends, etc. But I enjoyed plenty. I would recommend this series.
I've read the first book and the ninth book--none of the books in between. I normally don't read books out of sequence, but, I was intrigued with the 'summer musical' story. I love, love, love musicals. And this one is Cinderella--one of my favorites.
Mindy Kim, our heroine, is trying out for the summer musical (it is a children's production). The book shows her life at home and 'on set.' Plenty going on behind the scenes as well, and not just about the musical itself.
I may have enjoyed this one even more if I was familiar with all of the characters--family, friends, etc. But I enjoyed plenty. I would recommend this series.
November 7, 2024
In the ninth book of this series, Mindy hears the good news that she's about to become a big sister. Another spot to brighten her summer at home is when Mindy and her two friends, Sally and Lindsey, all decide to try out for the community musical, Cinderella. Though all three girls want to win the part of Cinderella, they cheer each other on to give their best at the audition. When the audition results are given, there are a couple surprises for the girls. Mindy is assigned to be an evil step sister!
The friendship and comraderie these girls have is wonderful to see. It's nice that it's drama free, which cannot always be said for girl friendships.
The friendship and comraderie these girls have is wonderful to see. It's nice that it's drama free, which cannot always be said for girl friendships.
January 18, 2024
Mindy and her friends try out for the children’s summer musical production of Cinderella. Mindy has a small worry about how her part will impact her future sisterhood, her dad is reassuring as always.
July 24, 2023
Lyla Lee why do you make me cry at every Mindy book. That's okay I'm pretty sure I gave you permission to.
November 27, 2023
Ah Mindy Kim, her family and friends are back again, teaching us about trying new things and supporting each other. A lovely story perfect for first chapter book readers!
April 23, 2024
I’m so happy that Mindy is having a sibling and got a role and I was kinda sad because Kyle was mean to Lynsey but I love the whole story books there all so detailed and Lyla Lee you very talented!
February 11, 2026
There’s a reason why this awful series is called The Babysitter’s Club and et cetera!
February 24, 2026
This book was great, until my daughter returned it without telling me and we didn't finish. I have no idea how Mindy Kim overcomes the hurdle of not getting the lead and dealing with bullies. I like to believe she rose above it all for a kick ass performance.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews