SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: GIGI SHIN IS NOT A NERD
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://lylaleebooks.com/
CITY: Dallas
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 390
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born ca. 1994, in South Korea.
EDUCATION:University of Southern California (degrees in psychology and cinematic arts).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and educator. Speaker at schools; worked as a private tutor during college; worked at various jobs in Hollywood.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Lyla Lee writes fiction for youths of all ages and is known for her lively, K-pop-infused young-adult novels as well as the “Mindy Kim” series, about a seven-year-old Korean America girl and her adventures. Lee was born in South Korea and has lived in several U.S. states, [open new]with a small town in northeastern Texas gaining status as her “hometown,” as she told Writer’s Digest. She was writing stories by the fourth grade and drafted her first novel by age fourteen. Even in her youth, racial representations and prejudice did not escape her: feeling challenged by math and science, she bristled at the stereotype of Asians excelling in those subjects, and her own stories mostly featured white characters, since Asians were so rare in the books she read. Later on, she would make broader, realistic representation of diverse characters an important aspect of her mission as a writer. After studying cinematic arts at the University of Southern California,[suspend new] Lee worked various jobs in Hollywood. She now lives and writes in Dallas, Texas.
[resume new]About the cultural notes in her young-adult novels, Lee told Nikhat Parveen of Hallyuism: “I wanted to write about Korean culture because my culture is a large part of who I am. Since I immigrated from South Korea to the US at a young age, my culture and family back home have always been important to me and my identity, which I never wanted to lose. … Additionally, I write about K-pop and K-dramas because those two things are what I enjoy doing in my free time (and have enjoyed all my life!). When I’m not writing, I’m listening to K-pop (and sometimes even learning how to dance in that style) or watching K-dramas.”[suspend new]
Lee’s debut novel, I’ll Be the One, features Skye Shin, a sixteen-year-old, size 16, bisexual Korean American girl who auditions for a talent show and is accepted for her superb singing and dancing. As she experiences hurtful comments about her weight, even from her own immigrant mother, she persists in having a body-positive attitude and loving herself just the way she is, all the while striving to show that she can be a K-pop superstar. As she proceeds through the talent show, she strikes up a budding romance with celebrity Henry Cho.
In an interview online at Cold Tea Collective, Lee said it was important to highlight LGBTQ experiences for Asians in I’ll Be the One. She explained: “I realized that even though [they’re] common for white people, they’re not common for Asian teens and Asian characters.” Lee added that she made sure the book touched all parts of K-pop, such as the diversity among K-pop fans, including Black fans, and people fetishizing Korean culture.
“In her dialogue-rich and character-driven novel, Lee finds a spot alongside Jenny Han … in representing the diversity of Asian American experiences,” noted Alicia Abdul in School Library Journal. In Kirkus Reviews, a critic commented: “Lee’s YA debut slathers on all the juicy drama, high emotion, and … performances you’d expect from a K-pop talent competition.”
Lee wrote the successful “Mindy Kim” chapter book series, with illustrations by Dung Ho, about a seven-year-old Korean American girl, Mindy Kim, who has moved with her father from California to Florida after the death of her mother. In the first book, Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business, Mindy wants to fit in at her new school, but that’s difficult when she brings things like kimchi and seaweed for lunch. But when her fellow students try it, they like it, and Mindy decides to sell her seaweed for money so she can get a puppy that will bring joy back into the family. “Mindy’s accessible, genuine-sounding voice is sincere without diminishing the gravity of heavy issues,” declared a critic in Kirkus Reviews. Emily Beasley noted in School Library Journal that Mindy’s Asian American food and cultural differences are “a welcome and necessary perspective,” and the book “has emotional depth and life lessons effortlessly woven throughout.”
In an interview online at MG Book Village, Lee explained why she wrote the “Mindy Kim” books: “I hope readers (especially young ones!) learn the value of open-mindedness and friendship… At its core, the series entails the slice of life family adventures of a second grader navigating through life in a new town with her father, but it also has lots of fun aspects of Korean culture.”
Lee published the novel Flip the Script in 2022, which injects LBGT themes and challenges into traditional Korean culture. Sixteen-year-old Hana Jin is securing her acting career in Seoul by playing the leading role in a popular television romance series. She resists actually falling in love with her on-screen love interest, K-pop idol Bryan Yoon. But when her former best friend and actress Minjee Park is hired as an rival for Bryan’s affection, Hana is torn between her growing interest in Bryan but also for Minjee. The book explores pressure from the network, fans, and paparazzi, along with bisexuality. A Kirkus Reviews critic praised the boundary-pushing story, adding: “The novel also transports readers to popular destinations in and around Seoul, beautifully highlighting Korean food and culture.”
[re-resume new]Lee opens a fresh series for middle graders with Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd, inspired in part by the diverse friend group she had while growing up. In Bluebonnet, Texas, Korean American seventh-grader Jiyoung “Gigi” Shin wants to be an artist like her aunt, although her immigrant parents, who own a grocery store, would prefer she become a scientist or engineer. Upon learning of the Starscape Young Artists’ Program in New York, an expensive summer camp headlined by her idol, graphic novelist Christiana Moon, Gigi is determined to go. Her friends—avid gamer Carolina Garcia, aspiring picture-book author Zeina Hassan, and brainy Emma Chen—are interested, too, so together they start the Ace Squad, a tutoring group. There are plenty of lessons to be learned as the business gets underway, about being professional, balancing work and school, and resolving conflicts that arise between the friends.
Amanda MacGregor remarked in School Library Journal that Gigi’s “authentic voice and feelings and the strong, nuanced secondary characters shine” in this “solid” series starter “about pursuing passions and working toward a goal.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer declared that Lee “skillfully handles topics surrounding cooperation, financial anxiety, first crushes, and pursuing one’s goals in this sweet and wholesome” tale. A Kirkus Reviews writer hailed Lee’s prose as “breezy and readable” and concluded of the first “Gigi Shin” book, “Move over, Baby-Sitters! There’s a new club in town.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2020, review of I’ll Be the One; November 1, 2019, review of Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business; March 15, 2022, review of Flip the Script; January 1, 2024, review of Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd.
Publishers Weekly, December 11, 2023, review of Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd, p. 66.
School Library Journal, May, 2020, Alicia Abdul, review of I’ll Be the One, p. 64; January, 2022, Emily Beasley, review of Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business, p. 64; January, 2024, Amanda MacGregor, review of Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd, p. 58.
ONLINE
Cold Tea Collective, https://coldteacollective.com/ (June 29, 2020), Ashley J. Chong, “Pride in Writing: Sexuality and Asian Representation in Lyla Lee’s Works.”
Hallyuism, https://hallyuism.com/ (August 26, 2023), Nikhat Parveen, “K-Interview: Author Lyla Lee.”
Lyla Lee website, https://lylaleebooks.com (June 2, 2024).
MG Book Village, https://mgbookvillage.org/ (January 7, 2020), author interview.
Writer’s Digest, https://www.writersdigest.com/ (March 3, 2024), Robert Lee Brewer, “Lyla Lee: On Inspiring Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams.”
Lyla Lee
Lyla Lee is the author of the Mindy Kim series as well as the upcoming YA novel, I'll Be The One (Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins). Although she was born in a small town in South Korea, she's since then lived in various parts of the United States, including California, Florida, and Texas.
Genres: Children's Fiction, Young Adult Romance
New and upcoming books
March 2024
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Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd
(Gigi Shin, book 1)August 2024
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Mindy Kim, Big Sister
(Mindy Kim, book 11)
Series
Mindy Kim
1. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business (2020)
2. Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade (2020)
3. Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy (2020)
4. Mindy Kim, Class President (2019)
5. Mindy Kim and the Trip to Korea (2021)
6. Mindy Kim and the Big Pizza Challenge (2021)
7. Mindy Kim and the Fairy-Tale Wedding (2022)
8. Mindy Kim Makes a Splash! (2022)
9. Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical (2023)
10. Mindy Kim and the Mid-Autumn Festival (2023)
11. Mindy Kim, Big Sister (2024)
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I'll Be the One
1. I'll Be the One (2020)
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Gigi Shin
1. Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd (2024)
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Novels
Flip the Script (2022)
Short Bio:
Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of YA books about K-pop and K-dramas as well as the Mindy Kim series and the Gigi Shin books for younger readers. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Originally from South Korea, she’s lived in various cities throughout the United States, worked various jobs 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 (IG, Twitter, and TikTok @literarylyla).
Photo by: Stephanie Ho
Long bio:
Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of young adult novels like I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and Gigi Shin books for the middle school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world.
Born in South Korea, she’s since then lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying 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 (IG, Twitter, and TikTok @literarylyla)
K-Interview: Author Lyla Lee
Posted by HALLYUISM on AUGUST 26, 2023
Nikhat Parveen, Delhi
Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of young adult novels like I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and the Gigi Shin books for the middle school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Since she was born in South Korea, she has lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, she now lives in Dallas, Texas.
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We are thrilled to have the opportunity to delve deeper into your creative journey and the cultural connections showcased in her books. To help our readers gain a comprehensive understanding of Author Lyla Lee’s work and experiences, we have prepared an interview with her:
Your books have been immensely popular worldwide, captivating young readers with the world of K-pop and K-dramas. What inspired you to blend Korean culture into your storytelling?
I wanted to write about Korean culture because my culture is a large part of who I am. Since I immigrated from South Korea to the US at a young age, my culture and family back home have always been important to me and my identity, which I never wanted to lose even though I no longer live in Korea. Additionally, I write about K-pop and K-dramas because those two things are what I enjoy doing in my free time (and have enjoyed all my life!). When I’m not writing, I’m listening to K-pop (and sometimes even learning how to dance in that style) or watching K-dramas, haha.
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India has shown great interest in Korean culture. How do you think your books have contributed to fostering cross-cultural understanding among readers?
I think it’s really great that India and other countries have developed an interest in Korean culture. I myself have really enjoyed Bollywood movies and music from a young age (I had many close Indian friends as a kid and we frequently shared each other’s cultures) so it makes me happy when I think about the global, cross-cultural exchange. I like to think my books have contributed to fostering this cross-cultural understanding by being part of the larger Hallyu movement. Books are just another form of media that people can learn about different cultures, like movies, shows, and music.
The Mindy Kim series has garnered a lot of love from both kids and parents. What motivated you to create this series, and how do you balance writing for a younger audience?
I was first inspired to write the Mindy Kim series because when I was growing up, there weren’t that many (if at all) book series in the US where Asian kids like me were the main characters. From the Magic Tree House books to Junie B. Jones, the books I read as a kid all featured white protagonists with only brief mentions (if at all) of people from Asia. I wanted to write a fun, cute series about a Korean American girl going about her life and having fun adventures/experiences as she grows up, something Kid Me would have very much wanted to read. Luckily, there are many more diverse books out there for children, Mindy Kim being one of them. I’m very proud and grateful to be part of this change for the new, current generation of kid readers.
Your upcoming Gigi Shin books are highly anticipated. Can you give us a glimpse of what readers can expect from this new series?
Yes! We actually just revealed the cover for it a couple of months back. It’s about a diverse friend group of girls from different economic and cultural backgrounds who come together to raise money for a prestigious summer art camp that will help make their dreams come true. It’s based on my own experiences of working as a tutor (both as a kid and as an adult). Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd is my first book for middle schoolers so I had a lot of fun with it since it certainly brought me back to my own experiences of being that age. I also based the characters on my real-life friends growing up, haha. I hope readers will enjoy reading Gigi’s story and learning about her and her friends.
Many of your readers are aspiring writers themselves. What advice would you give to young writers who wish to create stories that celebrate their cultural heritage?
I think the number one piece of advice I have to a writer who is writing about their own culture is to not feel so much pressure to get everything right. Sure, fact-checking and doing research is important but culture really differs on a family level, meaning one family might celebrate/do things one way while another family may do it a completely different way. This is something I learned while writing the Mindy Kim series, haha. It’s not your job as the writer to represent the entire culture in and of itself. It’s just your job to represent your own lived experience of it.
As an author, how do you balance staying true to your creative vision while also meeting the expectations of your readers?
Honestly, I find it best to not think about readers’ expectations at all while I write. I do read reviews of my books and gauge people’s reactions after my books come out, but only from an observer’s POV. I consider it as food for thought as I start thinking of my next projects, just so I can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. But when I’m actually writing, I’m in my own world. I think it also helps that I have great creative teams behind all my books. My editors have provided me invaluable feedback throughout the years and I listen to their feedback first and then slowly fine-tune the story based on other feedback during the revising/editing stage. I do this because I’ve learned that if I worry myself too much about the outside world/other people’s opinions when I write, I’ll get too anxious to even finish writing the book in the first place, haha.
The Mindy Kim series features a relatable and strong young protagonist. How important is representation in children’s literature, and how does it impact young readers?
I think the best way to answer this question is to tell you more about my own childhood experience. When I was growing up in the US during the 2000s-2010s, there wasn’t that much representation in children’s literature or other forms of media. In fact, when there was representation, it was often negative and based solely on harmful stereotypes. As a result, I didn’t think people would want to read books by and about Asian people. In fact, when I first started writing my own books in elementary school, I made the characters white because all the books, shows, and movies around me were about white people. As an adult now, I find it really heartbreaking to remember that Kid Me really thought that stories about Asian people like me weren’t important. Thankfully, things are different now, so hopefully kids growing up in the 2020s will have this experience.
Your books offer readers glimpses of Korean traditions and customs. Do you believe that literature can be a powerful tool to celebrate cultural diversity and break down barriers?
Yes! When writers write books, they write about the world (or a fictional world) from their own perspective. Even if they’re not writing about themselves or characters that resemble themselves, it’s impossible for writers to write a completely impersonal book that’s not even the slightest bit colored by their own experiences. This is true even for nonfiction because the very areas and topics that the writer chooses to research/focus on are influenced by the writer’s own POV. As a result, books provide valuable “windows” to other people’s “worlds.” It’s why I enjoy reading books written by people from different cultures and perspectives. I learn so much just by reading.
Your young adult novels, “I’ll Be the One” and “Flip the Script,” have garnered widespread acclaim. Could you share the inspiration behind these empowering stories, and what message do you hope young readers take away from them?
Both books are books I wish I had myself as a teen. As I do now, I loved K-pop and K-dramas in middle school and in high school. But I was also struggling through a lot of different things that made me feel like I wasn’t enough or like I wasn’t deserving of love for who I was. Fortunately, I’m in a better place now in many different aspects of life, but getting here was a struggle. So I wrote the two books not only because I wanted to write fun books about K-pop and K-dramas, but also because I wanted to help readers–especially young ones–love themselves for who they are.
The Mindy Kim series and the Gigi Shin books cater to different age groups. How do you approach writing for younger readers versus middle school audiences, and what unique elements do you incorporate into each series?
I’m actually fortunate enough to have experience teaching these different age groups for several years as a former educator. So whenever I write, I think about various individuals I previously taught from that age group. I also studied child/developmental psychology while I was in college so that certainly helps as well. One specific element I incorporated is the differences in focus. When kids are younger, like Mindy’s age, they are the most enmeshed in their family and their family is basically their entire world. So Mindy’s stories tend to be more family-focused. On the other hand, around middle school age, kids start to look outward for approval and identity, focusing on friends and social circles, instead of just their families. So Gigi’s perspective is more preoccupied with what her friends from school think of her, etc., rather than just her family. She is also a lot more independent than Mindy.
Your works often explore themes of identity, self-acceptance, and pursuing one’s dreams. How important is it for you to incorporate these messages into your stories, and how do they resonate with your readers?
These messages are actually my primary reason for writing books for teens and other young readers. Since I am now an adult of almost thirty years old, I definitely feel a sense of responsibility as I write books for younger readers. As I write, I think about what messages I would have liked to hear as a child/teen myself and how I want kids/teens to feel after reading my books. Not all writers think this way, but perhaps because I was also an educator as well as a writer, this is how I personally approach the stories I want to write.
Could you share any insights into your creative process? Do you have any writing rituals or techniques that help you bring your ideas to life?
So I start every writing day with a walk. Getting some sun and fresh air at the beginning of my day helps me focus throughout the day. In terms of actual writing, I’m a pretty strict outliner, since I write on average 3 books per year and it’s really important for me to know exactly how a story is going to go (even if I do change things later), kind of like having a map to follow when you’re navigating a new area. As a result, I never really have writer’s block because I know exactly what I’m working on on a certain day. I then write a very messy and preferably quick first draft, then go back through the book with Track Changes to essentially tear everything apart for the better and rewrite some sentences until I’m satisfied with them. It’s only then, during this revising stage, that I’m preoccupied with making things make sense and sound good. I find that if I try to do everything in one round, I become stuck with the pressure of trying to “do everything right the first time.”
Lastly, what exciting projects or stories do you have in store for your readers in the future, and what can we look forward to from Lyla Lee?
Next year, I have two more Mindy Kim books and the first Gigi Shin book, Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd, coming out from Simon & Schuster. Then, in 2025, I have another YA contemporary coming out from Harper Collins called The Cuffing Game, which is basically a K-drama take on Pride and Prejudice (i.e.: what would happen if Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were forced to make a reality TV dating show together). Finally, later that same year, I have an adult rom-com book coming out from Forever called Love in Focus.
Picture Credits: Plano Magazine
Once again, on behalf of our entire team at Hallyuism, we would like to thank Lyla Lee for taking out her valuable time for this interview, and we are deeply honored. Wishing her the very best in all her future endeavours and book releases. We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
You can explore the books’ catalogue and updates on future releases of Lyla Lee’s works here:
Welcome to my site!
https://lylaleebooks.com/
Lyla Lee: On Inspiring Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams
Author Lyla Lee discusses the inspiration behind her new middle-grade novel, Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd.
ROBERT LEE BREWERMAR 3, 2024
Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of young adult novels like I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and the Gigi Shin books for the middle-school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world.
Born in South Korea, she’s since then lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of 14. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, she now lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit Lyla at LylaLeeBooks.com, or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Lyla Lee: On Inspiring Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams
Lyla Lee
In this post, Lyla discusses the inspiration behind her new middle-grade novel, Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd, her hope for readers, and more!
Name (byline): Lyla Lee
Literary agent (if one): Penny Moore of Aevitas Creative Management
Previous titles (if any) by the author: Mindy Kim series (Simon & Schuster); I'll Be Book title: Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd
Publisher: Aladdin/Simon & Schuster
Expected release date: March 5, 2024
Genre/category: Middle-grade
Previous titles (if any) by the author: Mindy Kim series (Simon & Schuster); I'll Be the One and Flip the Script (HarperCollins)
Elevator pitch:
Front Desk meets the Baby-Sitters’ Club, Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd is about a Korean American girl who has big dreams of becoming an artist. When she and her other aspiring artist friends (Carolina Garcia, Zeina Hassan, and Emma Chen) learn that their families can’t send them to a prestigious art summer camp, Gigi gets a brilliant idea for them to form the Ace Squad, a tutoring club, in order to make enough money to go.
Lyla Lee: On Inspiring Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams
Bookshop | Amazon
[WD uses affiliate links.]
What prompted you to write this book?
I had many reasons for writing Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd. The first has to do with the fact that, growing up, I didn't see many books with friend groups that were as diverse as the ones I saw every day at school. Gigi's town is based on my actual hometown in northeast Texas, which has a large Asian and/or Latinx population.
Secondly, I wanted to write a book combating the stereotypes I saw in the media about Asian Americans being good at math, science, etc. I was never good at those subjects myself (those were actually my worst subjects!), and as a kid and later on as an adult who taught kids, I definitely saw the harmful effects of that "all Asians are good at math and/or science" stereotype.
Finally, I finished my first book when I was in middle school and worked on my novels like how, in the book, Gigi works on her comics and art. I hope this book speaks to other young aspiring artists and writers out there and inspires them to also follow their dreams.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
I first pitched the idea to my editor in fall 2021, and I worked on it from 2022-2023. The idea didn't really change much throughout the process. If anything, we just added on more character development and plot structure since I tend to be an under-writer.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Not specifically for this title but just in general, I think a lot of debuts think that once you're in, you're in. Like they think that once you have that dream agent or dream book deal, you're set for life, when in reality, even established authors have to go on submission and get rejected, sometimes again and again.
I got my first couple of book deals in 2018 and thought I was done. Ha ha. Little did I know that three years later in 2021, especially after COVID hit in 2020 and drastically affected my sales, I'd have to jump through the hoops again. I got lucky, and thanks to my awesome agent, Penny Moore, I was able to accumulate more book deals from 2021-2023. But they came with a lot of heartbreaking lessons and rejections.
Lyla Lee: On Inspiring Young Readers to Follow Their Dreams
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I was surprised by how much of my own life and specific memories from my own childhood seeped into my writing. For example, the opening scene of Gigi Shin is Not a Nerd features Gigi getting in trouble with her choir teacher since she's drawing in her seat instead of singing/actively participating in class. My intention for that scene was simple: set the humorous tone, give the reader a sense of who Gigi is, and grab the reader's attention with a funny exchange between Gigi and her teacher.
Well, more than a year after I wrote that scene, I was going through my seventh-grade journal (which I'd rediscovered while doing some New Year's cleaning) and found an entry where I'd written about how my then-best friend (who is still one of my closest friends today) had gotten in trouble with the choir teacher because she was drawing! I immediately told her about it, and we laughed together, reminiscing about our middle-school days. Funnily enough, that friend is a teacher now herself. She teaches art, though, not choir.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I touched on it a little bit in a previous answer but basically, I hope this book will inspire young readers by helping them 1.) feel seen and/or 2.) feel like they can follow their dreams. With all my books, I honestly only have one thing in mind, and that's to help create a greater sense of empathy and connection since I truly believe that reading books by/about people from different perspectives can create greater empathy in the world. That's one of the main reasons why I write diverse fiction for kids.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Really lean into the importance of self-care. Growing up, I heard lots of advice on "not giving up" and not enough reminders to take it easy and/or take better care of yourself. As a result, I was often dejected, burned out, and/or really hard on myself as I set impossible goals like "be published by 20!" or "become a NYT bestselling author!" It's a tough industry! You really need to take care of yourself so you can be in it for the long-haul.
Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd (Gigi Shin #1)
Lyla Lee. Aladdin, $17.99 (192p) ISBN 978-1-66593-917-1
Korean American seventh grader Jiyoung "Gigi" Shin, who lives in Bluebonnet,Tex., has big dreams of following in her aunt's footsteps to become a renowned artist--even if her working-class parents would prefer that she take her math and science assignments more seriously ("Art is just an elective, so make sure to focus on your other, more important classes first"). When she learns about the Starscape Young Artists' Program--a prestigious but expensive art camp on the East Coast where her idol, Korean American graphic novelist Christiana Moon, will be an instructor -- Gigi schemes to raise money for the application fee and tuition. With her best friends Carolina Garcia, a Latinx video game enthusiast; hijabi Zeina Hassan, an aspiring picture book author; and book-smart Taiwanese American Emma Chen, Gigi forms tutoring club Ace Squad. But even though the girls initially work well together, Gigi struggles to balance running a new club, keeping her grades up, and emergent friendship troubles with Carolina. Via emphatically depicted character interactions, Lee (the Mindy Kim series) skillfully handles topics surrounding cooperation, financial anxiety, first crushes, and pursuing one's goals in this sweet and wholesome new series. Ages 8-12. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Mar.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
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"Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd (Gigi Shin #1)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 50, 11 Dec. 2023, pp. 66+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A777789773/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4e2d79fd. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.
LEE, Lyla. Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd. 192p. (Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd: Bk. 1). S. & S./Aladdin. Mar. 2024. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781665939171.
Gr 3-7--A seventh grader sets her sights on a prestigious art program in New York, but needs to raise money, navigate sticky friendship situations, and convince her parents that being an artist is a worthwhile pursuit along the way. Korean American Jiyoung "Gigi" Shin loves art, but her immigrant parents, who run a grocery store in Texas, want her to have a more stable and lucrative career, like a scientist or engineer. Gigi and friends Zeina Hassan, Carolina Garcia, and Emma Chen start a tutoring club to raise money to attend the young artists' program that receives tens of thousands of applications from all around the world. Running a small business comes with unforeseen issues: difficult tutees, scheduling challenges, and hurt feelings among the friends. The tension caused by bad communication, disagreements, and changing allegiances resolves quickly as they work through their issues by taking responsibility and talking things through. When Gigi's parents find out about the tutoring club, she lands in hot water but uses the opportunity to show her parents the art she has kept secret from them to prove that the club is making a positive impact. Serviceable, unadorned writing tells the relatively low-stakes small plot, but Gigi's authentic voice and feelings and the strong, nuanced secondary characters shine. Hand this to readers who enjoy the simple camaraderie and entrepreneurship of "The Baby-Sitters Club" series. VERDICT A solid realistic fiction series opener about pursuing passions and working toward a goal. --Amanda MacGregor
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
MacGregor, Amanda. "LEE, Lyla. Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 1, Jan. 2024, pp. 58+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A778646571/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=555a0ccb. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.
Lee, Lyla GIGI SHIN IS NOT A NERD Aladdin (Children's None) $17.99 3, 5 ISBN: 9781665939171
Seventh grader Gigi Shin and her friends come up with an idea to raise money for art camp.
Gigi loves art, but her traditional Korean parents would rather she pursue science or engineering. One day, Gigi and her best friends spot a poster advertising the Starscape Young Artists' Program, a prestigious summer camp in New York City. It's a perfect opportunity, but it's expensive, and none of the girls can afford it. That's when Gigi comes up with an idea: an after-school tutoring service. Gigi keeps the idea secret from her parents, and though the friends pull it off, Gigi learns a few lessons along the way, including the importance of collaboration, time management, and honesty. While the prose is breezy and readable, reminiscent of Ann M. Martin's Baby-Sitters Club books, there's a lot for younger tweens to chew on as Gigi navigates multiple identities: daughter, sister, friend, artist, and entrepreneur. Those who relish stories about older, more independent kids will be pleased. Lee leaves some loose ends unresolved, keeping the focus on Gigi's journey; future books in the series may shed light on what happens next. There's racial and economic diversity among the cast.
Move over, Baby-Sitters! There's a new club in town. (Fiction. 8-11)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Lee, Lyla: GIGI SHIN IS NOT A NERD." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A777736812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a1080d49. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.
Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical
Lyla Lee, author
Dung Ho, illustrator
Aladdin
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781665935760, $17.99, HC, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Kim-Summer-Musical-9/dp/1665935766
Synopsis: 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?
Critique: The newest addition to the simply outstanding 'Mind Kim' series by author/storyteller Lyla Lee and artist/illustrator Dung Ho, "Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical" is a thoroughly fun read for children ages 6-9). Also available for personal reading lists in both a paperback edition (9781665935753, $6.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99), "Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical" is an unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Chapter Books collections for young readers with an interest in the performing arts, and Asian/American stories.
Editorial Note #1: Lyla Lee (https://lylaleebooks.com) is the author of young adult novels like I'll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and the Gigi Shin books for the middle school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Born in South Korea, she's since then lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. She can be followed on social media (Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @LiteraryLyla).
Editorial Note #2: Dung Ho was born and raised in Hue, Vietnam, where she studied graphic design at the Hue University College of Arts. After graduating, she worked in the design and advertising industries before discovering a great passion for illustration and picture books and becoming a freelance illustrator. Currently, she lives and works in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. She is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture book Eyes That Kiss in the Corners.
(https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Dung-Ho/164076650)
Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical." Children's Bookwatch, Aug. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A765740795/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=659ba1ec. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.