Finding Junie Kim

Junie Kim is a quiet and shy sixth grader. Middle school starts off rocky when Junie is being bullied on the school bus. Things continue to spiral when someone vandalizes the school gym with racist graffiti. When Junie refuses to join her best friends to speak up, her friends become mad at her. Junie suffers quietly and all alone and slips into a deep depression. With the help of her Grandparents, Junie learns the importance of speaking up.

Grab some tissue because this book is a touching and gripping tale about family and friendship, survival, racism, and mental health. It is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful story that blends Junie’s present-day conflicts with her grandparents’ experiences during the Korean war. I love Junie’s relationship with her Grandfather. This is a wonderful read-aloud for families especially if you are looking for diverse books. I learned a lot about the Korean War from reading this book, and I’m delighted that there are more books with AAPI voices and characters because I think it is long overdue.