58 pages • 1 hour read
Ellen OhFinding Junie Kim
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.