Reviews

this is truly beautiful :') the story follows junie, a korean girl who experiences racism in middle school and isn't sure how to face it. when she talks about her culture with her grandparents for a school project, junie learns about what they went through as children during the korean war. inspired by their bravery, junie decides to stand up for herself. i did tear up several times, this is such a wonderful exploration of culture, history, and belonging. despite being a middle grade book, it deals with important issues related to war and racism, and the author's approach to it is so good.

embe94's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is amazing. I love the different perspectives. I love the connection between Junie’s life and Junie’s grandparents’ stories. I cried SO many times while reading this, and there are SUCH important messages throughout the book. Definitely something to share with all my students.

laurap's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.0

ras422's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense

4.5

dobbytheelf2's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jerihurd's review against another edition

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3.0

This middle-grade work is a powerful Korean War story inside an over-the-top 7th grade K-drama, if K-Dramas were set in a Maryland middle school. It hits sooo many trendy notes: depression, bullying, racism, identity, allyship, family relationships. And all in a rather preachy "I'm teaching you an important lesson" note all-too-common to middle grade fiction (along with its quota of über-aware, precocious 7th graders). Personally, I think it would have worked better as a Korean War piece of historical fiction. At least all the teachers were helpful in this one.

Having said that, I can still see an audience for this, especially as a classroom read, which could contextualize the Korean War story. That is deeply compelling and moving, though pretty horrific in some of its descriptions (shooting pregnant women in the belly, for one). And I will say, the worst parts are just heard second-hand, not described in detail.

nighttgarden's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I related to Junie a little. Maybe it's cause my name is Juniper. But she was really relatable when <SPOILER>she thought about killing herself.<SPOILER>

Anyways, it's a beautiful book and is educational (in the story and real sense) about the The Korean War.

Content Warnings

shaouais's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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