58 pages 1 hour read

Ellen Oh

Finding Junie Kim

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Junie Kim, a second-generation Korean American middle school student near Washington, DC, learns the value of a positive attitude and self-advocacy in the face of racism. By listening to her Korean grandparents' stories about surviving the Korean War, Junie finds her voice and acceptance while learning about the dangers of silence in the face of evil. The source material features depictions of racism and bigoted language, racist bullying, microaggressions, racial slurs, war and related trauma, emotional distress, and suicidal ideation with themes of loss and separation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh is praised for its powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and intergenerational trauma. Reviewers appreciate its rich historical context and heartfelt storytelling. While some find the pacing uneven, the emotional depth and engaging characters are widely commended, making it a compelling read for middle-grade audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Finding Junie Kim?

Readers who would enjoy Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh are typically middle-grade students interested in themes of identity, resilience, and history. They would also appreciate books like Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai and Front Desk by Kelly Yang, which similarly explore cultural heritage and overcoming adversity.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Modern Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Topics

Military / War

History: World

Mental Illness

Period

Korean War

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger

Emotions/Behavior: Memory