Description ■ Korean American author Ellen Oh opens a new K-narrative in children's diaspora literature "Without a doubt, this book was the hardest and most personal story I have ever written." Korean American author Ellen Oh portrays Korean identity and Korean stories through the eyes of a young Asian girl. Finding Junie Kim doesn't treat Korea the way past diaspora literature often did—reducing it to old folktales or outdated stereotypes. Instead, it captures contemporary Korea and its present-day realities without distortion. This authenticity comes from the fact that Ellen Oh, a third-generation immigrant, wrote the novel based on stories she heard directly from her mother, her aunt, and her father's own experiences. She personally traveled to Korea, visiting Ewha Womans University and various places throughout Seoul that appear in the book, and met with curators at war memorials and history professors to ensure her story was grounded in historical fact. The book explores the struggles of being a child of immigrants and the concerns of raising a Korean American child, alongside the theme of racial discrimination. Ellen Oh is also the founder of the nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books. True to its name, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that children can grow up reading diverse stories about immigrant experiences, not just books featuring only white American characters. This awareness shines clearly throughout the novel. The experiences of anti-Asian racism and the struggles for minority rights depicted in the book are realistic and grounded in truth. Throughout the story, the author thoughtfully addresses the concerns most commonly faced by children who experience racism, while offering guidance on seeking support, sharing one's struggles, and speaking out—never forgetting to encourage courage along the way. Written from Ellen Oh's own convictions and lived experiences, Finding Junie Kim was recognized for its literary merit with the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, presented by the YMA (Youth Media Awards), the same organization known for presenting the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal. The book was also named a Best Book of the Year by NPR stations across the country, received an award from the Nerdy Book Club (an organization made up of teachers, librarians, and other educators), and was included on the Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year list—earning widespread critical acclaim. ■ The moments when silence becomes a weapon "Junie, always remember that silence can be as dangerous as a gun or a knife. When people don't speak up, when they don't stand against evil and simply let it be, they too become corrupted." Junie, a quiet Asian girl, faces racism as though it were a part of everyday life. It begins on the school bus every morning, and by the first day of the new semester, it has spread throughout the entire school. But rather than standing up to it, Junie chooses to avoid it. Her timid, passive attitude begins to drive a wedge between her and her closest friends. Junie's best friend, Patrice, is a Black girl—a bold and outspoken friend who believes in fighting racism rather than staying silent. Patrice reaches out to Junie, asking her to join together in speaking up. But instead of taking her hand, Junie repeats the same words so many Koreans before her have said: 'Endure it. Bear with it. Overcome it.' She holds onto the belief that it will eventually pass. Now that Junie must face this discrimination alone, her grandfather shares with her stories from his own childhood during the Korean War, along with the folktale of The Sun and the Moon. He tells her about the time he searched a mountain hiding enemy soldiers to help a friend, risking his own life, and how he fought against those in power to prove his friend's innocence—alongside the tale of the brother and sister who called out to the sky for help while fleeing a tiger. He asks her to imagine what might have happened if they had simply done nothing, waited quietly, or looked away—reminding her that silence can sometimes give power to those who do harm. Through her grandfather's stories, Junie begins to find her own identity and reflect on what can change when she finally speaks up. It is only when we stand together instead of alone, when we break our silence and speak out, when we reach out to give or receive help, that certain truths finally become clear.