Finding Junie Kim

Oh (The Dragon Egg Princess) 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 war. Following a series of racist incidents at her largely white middle school, including graffiti targeting Black, Jewish, and Asian students, Korean American student Junie Kim, 12, falls out with her friend group and into a fatalistic spiral, eventually receiving a diagnosis of depression. As prejudicial bullying continues at school, an assignment leads Junie to interview her beloved grandparents, Doha and Jinjoo, about their experiences during the Korean War, an experience that gives her renewed resilience and courage. Oh alternates Junie's first-person tale of a contemporary America replete with MAGA hats and "fake news" with her grandparents' stories of war-torn South Korea, injecting experiences of painful realism through wartime events, ethnic slurs, and a description of suicidal ideation. Junie's healthy and inclusive family dynamic contributes warmth and hopefulness, and her grandparents' backstories and personal integrity in the face of hardship are thoughtfully drawn. Ages 8-12. Agent: Marietta B. Zacker, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (May)

Gr 5-8--Twelve-year-old Korean American Junie Kim's first morning of seventh grade turns into a police scene when racist graffiti is discovered in the school gym. Junie has been bullied by a racist white boy who calls her hateful names. Back in 1950, Korean children Doha and Jinjoo endure a brutal civil war. The book moves back and forth between then and now, illustrating the evils and effects of war and racism. In this personal narrative inspired by the author's mother's life, Oh writes about the ravages of war and the depths of Junie's depression with unflinching honesty. She seamlessly provides insight into Korean history and culture for the unintroduced and captures the human condition during wartime through frank portrayals of Junie's modern-day struggles. The portions of the book dealing with the Korean War move more swiftly, but Junie's journey out of depression--through friends, family, therapy, and the discovery of her special talent--still develops poignantly. VERDICT A first purchase for middle school and upper elementary collections, Oh's powerful novel sheds light on the devastating effect racism can have on mental health, and tells a history often overlooked.--Kate Fleming, Hosford M.S., Portland, OR