Lyla Lee author page

Lyla Lee biography

Lyla Lee is an author of books for children, middle-grade readers, young adults and adults. She was born in South Korea, began writing her own stories in fourth grade, and completed her first novel at the age of fourteen. She studied Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and worked in Hollywood before publishing books for young readers.

Her books for younger readers include the Mindy Kim chapter-book series and the Gigi Shin middle-grade books. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business, illustrated by Dung Ho, was published by Aladdin on 14 January 2020 for grades 1 to 4 and ages 6 to 9. The Mindy Kim series follows a young Asian American girl as she navigates family change, learns new things and celebrates two cultures.

Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd began the Gigi Shin series and was published by Aladdin on 5 March 2024 for grades 3 to 7 and ages 8 to 12. In this series, Jiyoung “Gigi” Shin is a Korean American middle-school pupil who wants to become an artist and starts a tutoring business with friends to help pay for art camp.

Lee’s young adult novels include I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. Her later Mindy Kim book, Mindy Kim and the Fun Family Vacation, is book 12 of the series, illustrated by Dung Ho, and was published by Aladdin on 29 April 2025.