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?

Excerpt

Chapter 1 Chapter 1
My name is Mindy Kim. It’s finally summer, and my best friend, Sally, and I have really fun plans. We’re going to try out for a musical at our local community theater!

“I’m so glad you want to audition with me this year,” Sally said with a wide grin. “I’ve always wanted to, but I was too afraid to try out by myself.”

The two of us were lying on her bed, staring down at Sally’s phone screen. She’d pulled up information about the summer musical, which was going to be Cinderella this year!

I wanted to go to Key West this summer, but Dad said we can’t afford to go yet. So I was glad that I could still have a fun vacation at home with Sally.

About The Author

Lyla Lee

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 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 Instagram, X (previously known as Twitter), and TikTok @LiteraryLyla.

About The Illustrator

Dung Ho

Dung Ho (pronounced Dzung) is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture book Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Eyes that Speak to the Stars, Me and Ms. Too, The Mindy Kim books, and many others. Born and raised in Hue, Vietnam, she worked in the design and advertising industries before discovering a great passion for illustration and picture books and becoming a freelance illustrator. She lives and works in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.