Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

 

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! a middle grade chapter book by Jessica Kim is a fast-paced, humorous, yet touching book about a 6th grade daughter of Korean immigrants who has to tackle the difficult decision of following a dream that is different than what is expected by family elders.

Yumi is constantly in the shadow of her genius, older sister, Yuri.  Yumi loves stand-up comedy and even though she is shy, it doesn't deter her from wanting to pursue it.  When Yumi accidentally ends up in another person's slot in a comedy camp, she cannot give up her opportunity to feel a part of a community in which she belongs.  

Unfortunately, as in the common experience of children of immigrants who cannot face disappointing their parents, Yumi lies in order to stay in the camp.  When one lie turns into another in order to avoid getting caught, Yumi loses control of the situation.  Will she be able to express herself to her family and come clean with her comedy crew?

As a teacher, librarian, and daughter of immigrants, I can relate to the family pressure that she feels.  When discussing this book with students they can share times when their personal interests were or weren't supported by family members and how they handled those situations.  Another way that students can use this book is to compare how Yumi's choices are the same or different as to what they would do if they were in her shoes, her sister's shoes, and even her family and friends' shoes if they saw what Yumi was doing.

Overall I would recommend this book to readers in grade 4 and up, and their parents, too.  As an educator and parent I learned about how important it is to listen to children and support their interests while expressing expectations for them, at the same time.  Kim, who is Korean, writes with authenticity and care for her characters.