I've always seen the Mindy Kim series around the library, but I never made time to pick them up. I'm happy that I finally did! This is a good first installment to a series for those that are working their way into reading more independently.

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business follows main character Mindy as she moves from California to Florida with her father. Her mother has recently passed away and Mindy wants nothing more than for her to be happy and to get a new puppy. Already nervous about her first day at a brand new school, Mindy becomes even more stressed when the students who are unfamiliar with Korean culture make fun of her lunch. As a result, Mindy thinks that she's incapable of making new friends. However, when a taste test of her seaweed snacks becomes a hit with the rest of the students, she decides to explore the possibility of a business venture.

What Worked: I really enjoyed the way that Lyla Lee explored grief in this book. It is clear that Mindy is struggling with the loss of her mother, but I was glad to see that Lee didn't shy away from showcasing how it impacted Mindy's father. Mindy also makes a few mistakes in this book and those mistakes have consequences. While she doesn't initially want to accept responsibility for her actions, everything does come full circle and Mindy learns a lot about her friends and herself. The writing was charming and simplistic enough for a younger audience, but engaging enough to draw in older readers. Mindy is a fun character who is compassionate and kind. This is often noted as a great read for kids who really enjoy Junie B. Jones, but honestly I find Mindy more likeable. She makes the same mistakes as Junie B. Jones, but accepts the consequences with more grace and is willing to admit when she's wrong.

Overall, a strong first entry to the series and I'm excited to pick up more.