Mock Newbery 2026 discussion

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh won our October poll.

Is it "distinguished?"

There are only a couple copies of this at my public library, and they are both checked out. Anyone else having trouble finding this selection?

This title got a lot of early buzz and promotion. It has been a popular selection since its release date. I really enjoyed it. Newbery worthy in my opinion.

I was lucky enough to get it at our school library. I have not started yet.

I've read this and did think it was distinguished. The writing was well done (in my opinion) and sense of place was very good (I lived in S. Korea for a year and it brought back a lot of memories.) I thought it was gentle enough for the age group it's intended for but still harsh enough to make readers think. Overall a well written historical/modern novel for middle graders. I don't know how it'll compare to the others but I hope its a contender.

Yes. Absolutely distinguished. This book is why I love reading middle grade novels. I loved the Korean War history (very seldom treated in lit for this age group), Junie's personal anxieties about racism in her school, and the important family relationships that tie those two things together. One of my favorite books of the year.

I was able to find a copy on the Libby (Overdrive) library app. Your library may not have physical copies but you can sometimes fond ebook or audio book versions here.

FINDING JUNIE KIM by Ellen Oh is a heavy book depicting several harsh realities. A student describes her feelings as she is overcome by clinical depression. Grandparents tell their personal stories of soldiers invading during the Korean War. The book ends with a stroke leading to the death of the grandfather. Realistically narrated, it is still difficult to read. Based on family experiences of the author, it is an important #ownvoices title.

Not distinguished. This book has too much! Both grandparents' stories of their lives in Korea during the Korean war, middle school transition, cliques, bullying, racism, vandalism, mental health, and death. PHEW!

While I enjoyed learning about the Korean War and love stories about kids who have ties to a grandparent (miss you every day, Grandma), I have to agree with the last few reviews. This book was too much. I almost stopped reading after the scene with the pills because it was significantly more graphic than Leto’s actual suicide by pills in adult fiction book “The Library of the Unwritten.” Do not recommend. I’ve read multiple fantastic books about Korean families and bullying and/or racism. There’s very little here you can’t get someplace better.

Are we picking these titles really based on trusted readers that have ALREADY read the title or do we as a group vote for titles that we are hearing about or for authors we have enjoyed in the past. I have not started this book, but already disappointed this is our title this month based on recent reviews.

Shella wrote: “…do we as a group vote for titles that we are hearing about or for authors we have enjoyed in the past.”
In different months, I have different criteria. Sometimes I vote for a book I have already read that I want to discuss. Sometimes I vote for a book I have not read but want to read. Sometimes I vote for a new author and sometimes I vote for an established favorite. I always hope that by the time the awards are announced, I have already read the winners.

Shella wrote: "Are we picking these titles really based on trusted readers that have ALREADY read the title or do we as a group vote for titles that we are hearing about or for authors we have enjoyed in the past..."

I have almost never read any of the books on the poll. I check the summaries and vote for the book that sounds the most interesting to me.

I liked it, and it made me realize how little I know about Korea and the Korean War. But it isn’t on my list of top contenders. I was happy to see mental illness presented realistically and with family support, medication, and therapy.

Beginning the story with a hate crime in Junie's middle school of racist graffiti, the tension inside sensitive Junie grows, yet she keeps it hidden from everyone. As time goes by it becomes too much to bear, however a surprising family member, her dear grandpa unexpectantly finds a way to help. My favorite parts were the stories Junie's grandparents told her about the tragic struggles they and other normal citizens suffered and witnessed during the Korean War. This is a powerful story, but perhaps too upsetting for a Newbery award, especially this year.

Shari wrote: "Not distinguished. This book has too much! Both grandparents' stories of their lives in Korea during the Korean war, middle school transition, cliques, bullying, racism, vandalism, mental health, a..."

I agree.

Finding Junie Kim attempts too much: it is two different books that try to be one. Junie’s personal issues and resolution are a complete story by themselves. The grandparent’s painful Korean War stories, which take up half the book, are another. The two should not be mixed into one.

I have mixed feelings on "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh.

I feel the author tried tackling too many difficult topics. With themes of bullying, racism, depression, suicidal ideation, grief and war stories/trauma, there is definitely some triggering content (notably the pill scene and several of the war crimes).

There are things I felt were done well and liked, though. I liked learning more about the Korean War. I particularly thought it was important/eye-opening how the author showed examples of humanity in the North Korean soldier and corruption/hatred of some of the South Korean government officials and citizens. I've been guilty of assuming everything about about North Korea was bad and everything about South Korea was good. This book helped challenge this assumption and reminded me that war is a complex issue.

Ultimately, I decided to give this selection four stars out of five. However, I personally don't see this as a Newbery winner or honor book.

I liked Junie Kim a lot, but perhaps since I was an adult reading a book intended for younger readers, I didn't mind the complexity so much. I liked how Junie came to understand that she could choose how she supported herself and her friends rather than just blindly following along.

Awesome book, I had fun reading it.