Finding Junie Kim

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For fans ofInside Out and Back AgainandAminas Voice comes abreathtaking story of family, hope, and survival from Ellen Oh, cofounder of We Need Diverse Books. When Junie Kim is faced with middle school racism, she learns of her grandparents extraordinary strength and finds her voice. Inspired by her mothers real-life experiences during the Korean War, Ohs characters are real and riveting.

Both unique and universal, timely and timeless.Padma Venkatraman, Walter Award-winning author ofThe Bridge Home

"A moving story that highlights how to find courage in the face of unspeakable hardship." Hena Khan, award-winning author of Aminas Voice

"Junie discovers where she comes from and gains the courage to make a difference in the future."Wendy Wan-Long Shang, award-winning author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

Junie Kim just wants to fit in. So she keeps her head down and tries not to draw attention to herself. But when racist graffiti appears at her middle school, Junie must decide between staying silent or speaking out.

Then Junies history teacher assigns a project and Junie decides to interview her grandparents, learning about their unbelievable experiences as kids during the Korean War. Junie comes to admire her grandmas fierce determination to overcome impossible odds, and her grandpas unwavering compassion during wartime. And as racism becomes more pervasive at school, Junie taps into thestrength of her ancestorsand finds the courage to do what is right.

Finding Junie Kimis a reminder that within all of us lies the power to overcome hardship and emerge triumphant.

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book

A Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year

Included in NPRs 2021 Books We Love List

2021 Nerdy Award Winner

Reviews

An obvious labor of love, shedding light on both present-day problems and an often-overlooked war, tackling extremely challenging subjects like racism, depression, suicidal ideation, death, and even gruesome war crimes. But there is also fierce familial love, supportive friendship, and an undercurrent of hope that buoys Junie in her worst times and helps her endure and grow. Junies difficult journey is certainly one worth taking. Booklist (starred review) She seamlessly provides insight into Korean history and culture for the unintroduced and captures the human condition during wartime through frank portrayals of Junies modern-day strugglesOhs powerful novel sheds light on the devastating effect racism can have, and tells a history often overlooked. School Library Journal (starred review) This novel is firmly rooted in real-life eventswhich gives the book an urgency that speaks to this moment of anti-Asian intolerance. Like Linda Sue Parks A Long Walk to Water and Alan Gratzs Refugee, it will help young readers understand the unfathomable tragedy of being a child trapped in war and also the imperative of never giving up hope of enduring. New York Times Book Review "An intergenerational tale that highlights a girls growing confidence and awareness." Kirkus Reviews Oh conveys the legacy of bravery, tenderness, and forgiveness alongside the fallout of intergenerational trauma in a complex novel that touches on gender discrimination and racism, mental health, and imperialism and civil warJunies healthy and inclusive family dynamic contributes warmth and hopefulness, and her grandparents backstories and personal integrity in the face of hardship are thoughtfully drawn. Publishers Weekly Filled with unforgettable characters, this profoundly moving story about a girl's search for self is at once both unique and universal, timely and timeless. A book that should be on every shelf. Padma Venkatraman, Walter Award-winning author ofThe Bridge Home Any reader who has been fortunate enough to hear stories from their grandparents will recognize the power of Junie's experiences. By listening to her grandparents talk about their choices and bravery during the Korean War, Junie discovers part of where she comes from, and gains the courage to make a difference in the future. Wendy Wan-Long Shang, award-winning author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu "A beautifully moving story that cleverly spans generations and continents and highlights how to find courage and resilience in the face of unspeakable hardship. Junie Kim is a wonderful, thoughtful protagonist who grows as she learns hard truths about the devasting Korean War, about herself and how she relates to challenges in the world today, and about the power of friendship and family." Hena Khan, Award-winning author of Aminas Voice

Author Bio

Ellen Oh is the author of the Prophecy trilogy and the upcoming middle grade Spirit Hunters. She is a Brooklyn native, attended NYU undergrad, and has a law degree from Georgetown. She lives with family in Bethesda, MD.