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“This accessible, humorous, and empowering narrative is sweet and threaded with hope….An inspirational, funny, and charming story infused with agency and moxie.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Park interrogates celebrity culture in a searing novel that tackles body image, misogyny in stand-up comedy, and child parentification….a funny, absorbing, and empowering tale of one teen’s embracing truth and integrity over artifice and popularity.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“The real star of this story is Ambrosia, who tackles the intense pressure placed upon young women to look skinny and beautiful, the challenges inherent in an often male-centered comedy scene, and the process of seeing your own parents as people with sometimes messy histories.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

Ambrosia Lee Drops the Mic

Written by Patricia Park
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

They say Hollywood is like high school, and has-been child actor Ambrosia Lee feels like she’s at the bottom of the social ladder. Her acting career peaked at the age of eleven— then she was unceremoniously fired from her big break due to her weight.

Now after years of rejections and backstabbing auditions, teenage Ambrosia turns to stand-up to speak her truth. It’s the perfect way to rant about everything that’s been bothering her: divorced parents dynamics, Asian stereotypes, and Hollywood drama. It also doesn’t hurt that a cute boy is helping her learn the ropes of a comedy routine.

It’s all laughs…but comedy clubs can be just as toxic as the Hollywood complex she always mocks.

Can Ambrosia be her true self both on and off the mic?

Patricia Park’s humorous new novel explores the complicated worlds of Hollywood and comedy clubs, body image standards, and what it takes to succeed.

Primary ISBN: 9798217029761
Publication Date: April 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 14 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (California)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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