One lie snowballs into a full-blown double life in this irresistible story about an aspiring stand-up comedian.
On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her "Yu-MEAT" because she smells like her family's Korean barbecue restaurant. On the inside, Yumi is ready for her Netflix stand-up special. Her notebook is filled with mortifying memories that she's reworked into comedy gold. All she needs is a stage and courage.
Instead of spending the summer studying her favorite YouTube comedians, Yumi is enrolled in test-prep tutoring to qualify for a private school scholarship, which will help in a time of hardship at the restaurant. One day after class, Yumi stumbles on an opportunity that will change her life: a comedy camp for kids taught by one of her favorite YouTube stars. The only problem is that the instructor and all the students think she's a girl named Kay Nakamura--and Yumi doesn't correct them.
As this case of mistaken identity unravels, Yumi must decide to stand up and reveal the truth or risk losing her dreams and disappointing everyone she cares about.
Indies Introduce Winter / Spring 2020 Title
Spring 2020 Kids' Indie Next List
Amazon Best Books of the Month, March 2020
Kirkus Best Children's Books 2020
Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2020
Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids 2020
★“With wonderful supporting characters, strong pacing, and entertaining comedy bits, debut author Kim has woven a pop song of immigrant struggle colliding with comedy and Korean barbecue.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★"Kim has taught school, and it shows, both with the spot-on dialogue and the up-to-date social media references... This will certainly remind readers of Kelly Yang's Front Desk (2018)."
—Booklist, starred review
★"A must-read."
—School Library Connection, starred review
“Being your true self can be tough, but with guts, gumption, and a whole lot of heart, Yumi Chung rises to the challenge and shows us all who she really is—a bona fide star.”
—Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom
“A funny, tender story about family, friendship, and the courage to be yourself!”
—Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanderbeekers series
“Come for the puns, the laughs, and the wacky plot of mistaken identity, but it’s the bighearted characters that take center stage in Stand Up, Yumi Chung!”
—Carlos Hernandez, author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
“I adored this book! Like, I seriously hugged it when I was done. This is quintessential middle grade—charming, funny, real, and overflowing with heart.”
—Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of 8th Grade Superzero, Two Naomis, and Naomis Too
"This book is my favorite combination of heartfelt and hilarious. Yumi Chung is a headliner!"
—Remy Lai, author of Pie in the Sky
“This book is hilarious.”
—Sarah True, Joseph-Beth Booksellers (Cincinnati, OH)
“One of the best middle grade books I have read all year!”
—Robyn Broderick, The Reading Bug (San Carlos, CA)
“Yumi is a smart and sassy heroine, and Stand Up, Yumi Chung! is a poignant and charming story that appeals to the dreamer in all of us.”
—Jackie Jou, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore (San Diego, CA)
“This book made me cry, cheer, and laugh out loud.”
—Bethany Strout, Tattered Cover Book Store (Denver, CO)
