WHAT’S EATING JACKIE OH?
A Novel by Patricia Park

A Korean American teen tries to balance her dream to become a chef with the cultural expectations of her family when she enters the competitive world of a TV cooking show. A hilarious and heartfelt novel from the award-winning author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and Re Jane.

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Crossover. Ages 12+. No curse words or graphic content.

Praise:

★Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2024 list★

★2025 Bank Street The Best Children’s Books of the Year★

★Vermont Green Mountain Book Award Finalist★

★May/June 2024 Kids’ Indie Next List★

★Queens Public Library Summer Teen Reads Winner★

★ “An engrossing tale full of appealing characters, foodie elements, and heart.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “Come for the culinary competition, stay for the incisive take on social issues.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“A perfect fit for teens obsessed with food tv or grappling with the pressure of parental expectations.” —Booklist
“A candid and empathetic… feast for teen readers.” —Shelf Awareness

Summary:

Jackie Oh is done being your model minority.

She’s tired of perfect GPAs, PSATs, SATs, all of it. Jackie longs to become a professional chef. But her Korean American parents are Ivy League corporate workaholics who would never understand her dream. Just ask her brother, Justin, who hasn’t heard from them since he was sent to Rikers Island.

Jackie works at her grandparents’ Midtown Manhattan deli after school and practices French cooking techniques at night—when she should be studying. But the kitchen’s the only place Jackie is free from all the stresses eating at her—school, family, and the increasing violence targeting the Asian community.

Then the most unexpected thing happens: Jackie becomes a teen contestant on her favorite cooking show, Burn Off! Soon Jackie is thrown headfirst into a cutthroat TV world filled with showboating child actors, snarky judges, and gimmicky “gotcha!” challenges.

All Jackie wants to do is cook her way. But what is her way? In a novel that will make you laugh and cry, Jackie proves who she is both on and off the plate.

Patricia Park's hilarious and stunning What’s Eating Jackie Oh? explores the delicate balance of identity, ambition, and the cultural expectations to perform.

Teachers’ Guide and Discussion Questions:

Lesson Plans for JACKIE OH coming soon! Email for more details.

Read an Excerpt here.

Penguin Random House Discussion Guide + Classroom Activities here.

Marian High School in Indiana (Summer Reading Program Pick) here.

Themes: Food, Cooking, Food Insecurity, Cultural Diversity, Model Minority Myth, Contemporary Issues/Social Problems, Racism & Prejudice, Family, Friendship, Justice & Equality, Incarceration.

Are you interested in teaching What’s Eating Jackie Oh? Request a desk copy of What’s Eating Jackie Oh? from Penguin Random House here.