Following the events of the LA Riots, a 12-year-old Korean American boy must come to terms with the racism within and affecting their community while trying to protect his father, a store owner. 100,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

On the first night of rioting in the wake of the Rodney King verdict, Jordan's father leaves to check on the family store, spurring twelve-year-old Jordan and his friends to embark on a dangerous journey through South Central and Koreatown to come to hisaid, encountering the racism within their community as they go. - (Baker & Taylor)

An instant New York Times bestseller!
An Indiebound bestseller!
An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book!

Troublemaker follows the events of the LA Riots through the eyes of 12-year-old Jordan as he navigates school and family. This book will highlight the unique Korean American perspective.

12-year-old Jordan feels like he can't live up to the example his older sister set, or his parent's expectations. When he returns home from school one day hoping to hide his suspension, Los Angeles has reached a turning point. In the wake of the acquittal of the police officers filmed beating Rodney King, as well as the shooting of a young black teen, Latasha Harlins by a Korean store owner, the country is at the precipice of confronting its racist past and present. 

As tensions escalate, Jordan's father leaves to check on the family store, spurring Jordan and his friends to embark on a dangerous journey to come to his aide, and come to terms with the racism within and affecting their community.

John Cho is known as Harold from Harold & Kumar, Hikaru Sulu from J.J. Abrams’s Star Trek, or as the star of the highly anticipated live-action Netflix series, Cowboy Bebop, based on the worldwide cult anime phenomenon (news of which “broke the Internet,” to quote Vanity Fair).  John is also a former 7th-grade English teacher who grew up as a Korean immigrant kid in Texas and East L.A. (among many other places). He is also now a proud father, with his Japanese-American wife Kerri, of two beautiful children — a 9-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old boy — who love to read.

- (Grand Central Pub)

Booklist Reviews

Jordan is the titular troublemaker—or is he? The child of Korean immigrants, he's just been suspended from school for cheating as he tries to dig himself out of an academic hole. He knows he's a disappointment to his hardworking parents, who own a store in South Central Los Angeles. Then he sees a way to reconnect with his father: riots in the wake of the 1992 Rodney King decision threaten the store where his Dad has gone alone to board windows, and Jordan thinks if he brings dad the gun he knows is hidden in their home closet, he'll show his loyalty. This decision leads to a cross-city adventure filled with danger, fortuitous encounters with Angelinos of all ethnicities, secrets revealed, and an awareness of how the gun is a heavy burden. Readers drawn to action will revel in close calls and high emotions generated by Jordan's conflicts with family and friends, but they will also end satisfied that the smoky violence is mostly avoided as Jordan learns why his father has decided against carrying a gun. Grades 5-8. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Cho's riveting work of historical fiction begins on April 29, 1992, when four Los Angeles police officers are acquitted in the brutal beating of a Black man, Rodney King. Twelve-year-old Jordan Park's parents close their liquor store early, bracing for the unrest to come. They expect Koreatown to be targeted by protesters since, two weeks after television footage showed King being beaten, a fifteen-year-old Black girl, Latasha Harlins, was shot and killed by a Korean American store owner. With his parents busy at the store, there's no time for Jordan to tell them that he's been suspended from school for cheating on a Spanish quiz (again). Having had an argument with his father and been told he is a disappointment, Jordan tries to atone by setting off on a dangerous and fraught journey: bringing his father a gun to use for self-defense, if necessary. Jordan's first-person narrative offers a fresh Korean American perspective on what were then called the L.A. Riots; on racism; and on immigration. This debut middle-grade novel by Cho, well known for his acting work, achieves a complexity of theme that is welcome for this audience. It's an important, even profound, story, yet related with a light touch. Jordan's journey will have readers following right alongside him as he navigates the vicissitudes of this moment in history and his place in his family. Back matter includes an extensive and informative author's note. Copyright 2023 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

Cho's riveting work of historical fiction begins on April 29, 1992, when four Los Angeles police officers are acquitted in the brutal beating of a Black man, Rodney King. Twelve-year-old Jordan Park's parents close their liquor store early, bracing for the unrest to come. They expect Koreatown to be targeted by protesters since, two weeks after television footage showed King being beaten, a fifteen-year-old Black girl, Latasha Harlins, was shot and killed by a Korean American store owner. With his parents busy at the store, there's no time for Jordan to tell them that he's been suspended from school for cheating on a Spanish quiz (again). Having had an argument with his father and been told he is a disappointment, Jordan tries to atone by setting off on a dangerous and fraught journey: bringing his father a gun to use for self-defense, if necessary. Jordan's first-person narrative offers a fresh Korean American perspective on what were then called the L.A. Riots; on racism; and on immigration. This debut middle-grade novel by Cho, well known for his acting work, achieves a complexity of theme that is welcome for this audience. It's an important, even profound, story, yet related with a light touch. Jordan's journey will have readers following right alongside him as he navigates the vicissitudes of this moment in history and his place in his family. Back matter includes an extensive and informative author's note. Dean Schneider July/August 2022 p.114 Copyright 2022 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Noted actor Cho and co-author Suk share the journey of a Korean American sixth grader struggling with feeling inadequate. It's 1992 in Glendale, California, and Jordan's life is coming apart: He's been suspended from school for cheating. He's banned from seeing Mike, his impulsive church friend. Sarah, his adored older sister, is always busy—and so perfect that he looks even more disappointing by comparison. Appa and Umma, burdened with financial worries, are constantly working at their liquor store. Jordan's family immigrated 9 years earlier, but the bright American future they sacrificed so much for seems questionable. Now people are erupting in protest over the unjust Rodney King verdict and tragic killing of Latasha Harlins by a Korean shop owner. Driven by deep emotional pain and a desire to prove himself to Appa, Jordan sneaks out with Mike—and the gun his father's forbidden him to touch. As violence spreads toward Koreatown, he tries to deliver it as protection for Appa, who's boarding up the store. This ill-conceived plan goes awry, and during the fraught evening the boys learn about integrity, bias, and more. The realistically middle-grade voice, strong characterization, and well-paced storyline show the growth of a boy who is moving from limited awareness to a mature perspective on his place in his family and broader community. The novel weaves together large-scale issues of social injustice and interracial barriers with the intimate pain—and joy—of personal relationships. Equal parts suspenseful and emotionally insightful. (author's note) (Fiction. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus 2022 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 5 Up—It is 1992, and the Rodney King verdict has just been returned. Riots explode across L.A. Told from Jordan's middle school Korean American perspective, the book delves into issues like the challenges faced by immigrant families, systemic racism, and a flawed justice system. Jordan has been in some trouble at school, and he and his father are not speaking. His father leaves his gun behind when he goes out to board up their family's store, so Jordan decides to take it to him for protection. He and his friend Mike head out into Koreatown with different agendas; Mike wants to retrieve something from his family's restaurant, and Jordan is determined to keep his father safe. Jordan and Mike are often in trouble, but, luckily, the gun stays in its case in his backpack. Some strengths of this novel are Jordan's close family and his relationship with his older sister Sarah. She may be successful in school, but she has her secrets, too. Despite disagreements, it is clear that the family cares for one another. This is a good middle grade historical fiction. Its main character is relatable, and the fast pace keeps readers engaged. Some young readers may not understand the trials of trying to find a pay phone, but as Cho's author's note points out, many of the conflicts in 1992 are still relevant today. VERDICT A strong purchase for libraries with readers who enjoy recent historical books or have an interest in racial justice.—Claire Covington