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Author Interviews · March 16, 2020

An Interview with Jessica Kim, Author of Stand Up, Yumi Chung

Author Jessica Kim’s debut novel Stand Up, Yumi Chung is especially close to my heart. Yumi, the book’s young heroine wants to be a stand up comic, but her immigrant Korean parents want a different path for her. When Yumi ends up in a comedy camp as a result of mistaken identity, she grabs the opportunity with both hands.

I spoke to Jessica about why she wrote this story, writing about financial difficulties in middle-grade books, and her path as a teacher and writer.


Jessica Kim - Author Interview

Hi Jessica! As you know, I LOVED Stand Up, Yumi Chung. I’m so grateful I got a chance to read an early copy.

Yumi is a budding stand-up comic whose immigrant parents would rather have focus on her academics and pursue a conventional career. Why did you decide to write about this conflict of interests?

Thank you so much, Afoma for reading, I’m so glad that Yumi’s story resonated with you! I decided to write about the friction between Yumi and her parents because, at the time, I was struggling with my own complicated feelings about being a writer.

As a newish writer, part of me felt like it was a silly and risky endeavor to pour so much time, effort, and money into my dream of writing a book and the other part of me couldn’t help but dream anyway. It was like two parts of my heart were battling one another, one influenced by my Asian-immigrant upbringing, and the other influenced by the individualistic “can-do” attitude I developed growing up in America. That duality was fascinating to me and I wanted to explore it a little more through Yumi.

I see some parallels between Yumi’s life and yours — you both rocked a perm in middle school, have immigrant Korean parents, for example. But what are some differences between Yumi’s character and you?

Yumi and I struggle with the same kinds of fears, but our personalities are actually quite different. Unlike Yumi, I am not shy at all, in fact I skew more outgoing and chatty. I am probably a little more like Ginny than Yumi in that way.

Yumi’s time at the comedy camp are some of my favorite scenes. How did you come up with the jokes? I thought many of them were quite funny!

Thank you so much for saying that. The comedy scenes were easily the hardest scenes to write. Trust me when I say that I wrote many versions of the jokes you see published. I actually researched and studied joke structure and stand-up comedy to prepare for these scenes. Also, my editor is very funny and between the two of us, we found a few things that worked. Phew!  

You’ve worked in education for a while. Why did you choose education and what’s your favorite thing about teaching?

I really loved being a teacher. There’s so many aspects about being in the classroom that were so incredibly rewarding. Being around young people who are still figuring out who they are and what they want to be is so inspiring. I also really liked the performance aspect of being a teacher. Trying to figure out ways to deliver academic content in an engaging and meaningful way was such a thrilling challenge. I really miss it but I’m looking forward to returning to schools soon, this time as an author on a school visit!

While Yumi’s story is central to your novel, Yuri’s trajectory really warmed my heart. I also loved the girls’ sisterhood. Do you have a sister? What inspired Yuri’s character?

I do, in fact I have two sisters. (Yes, I am a middle child) The character Yuri, was based, in part, on my older sister who is actually a doctor. (I have a lot of doctors in the family including my husband, my brother-in-law, my sister-in-law) Like Yuri, my sister is very diligent and devoted to our family. In a lot of ways, she followed a more traditional route that many parents in my community encourage. I was more of a creative type and did things my own way. People didn’t always get it, but eventually I figured out my path and I wanted my readers to see that that’s okay, too.

You don’t shy away from the Chung’s restaurant issues and their financial struggles. I appreciate middle-grade authors who explore economic difficulty in their stories. One of my favorites is Jennifer Torres. Is there a reason why you were open to including these struggles in a fair amount of detail?

Financial strain was something that was very common for most families in my community. Most of my friends’ parents immigrated in the 1970s and had to start over when they came to the States. Since their previous skills weren’t usually transferable, most of them worked blue collar jobs. My father trained as a pharmacist at Seoul National University but came here to run a produce store. My mom worked at a dry cleaners and my father-in-law worked as a commercial painter. These circumstances were baked into our identities. While our parents weren’t able to live their dreams out completely, they reinvested those dreams back into their children. Which is so sacrificial and loving but also can be burdensome and limiting. It’s complicated. Which is why I had to write about it.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually hanging out with my kids. We are big Disneyland fans. I also like to hike, travel, take pictures of flowers, and keep up with my friends as much as I can. These days, I’m scheming to get tickets to the upcoming BTS tour. If you have any tips on how to best do this, please share.

Do you still teach or have a full-time job? What’s your typical writing routine?

No, I stopped teaching when my kids were young. These days, I’ve been getting my writing in during the school hours while my kids are away. I get the quiet house to myself and it’s the perfect time to write. When I’m on deadline I’ll write through the night and on weekends but usually I like to make time to live and write. It’s important to do that.

What’s next after YUMI CHUNG? I’m looking forward to whatever you write next.

Thank you so much! I’m working on another middle grade novel right now. I can’t say much about it yet, so stay tuned for more!

Thanks so much for your time, Jessica!


About Jessica Kim

Jessica Kim writes about Asian American girls finding their way in the world. Before she was an author, Jessica studied education at UC Berkeley and spent ten years teaching third, fourth, and fifth grades in public schools.

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Related

  • See other 2020 middle-grade anticipated releases here.
  • My review of Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
  • An interview with another 2020 debut author, Janae Marks

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Posted In: Author Interviews

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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Comments

  1. rosihollinbeck says

    March 16, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks for a fun interview. I’m looking forward to reading her book someday soon.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      March 31, 2020 at 4:01 pm

      Hi Rosi! Happy to be back finally! Thanks so much for reading, and yes, Jessica writes beautifully 🙂

      Reply

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52 Middle-Grade and Chapter Books to Read in 2020

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🎤 new chapter book series alert 🚨 Frankie 🎤 new chapter book series alert 🚨 

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News is the first in the new Frankie and Friends series. Frankie's mom is off on a reporting trip, and the whole family is missing her. 

With her stuffed animals as partners, Frankie decides to use the journalism tidbits she's learned from her mom -- like finding your beat and being honest -- to solve a surprising family mystery.

This is a charming, educational, and imaginative start to a fun series that's perfect for new readers. With a good mix of journalistic terminology, sister relationships, and depictions of imaginative play, supported by gorgeous full-color illustrations, kids will love Frankie and her determined efforts to break the news.

#chapterbook #booksforkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fa 🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fans

If you’ve been looking for more high-stakes mysteries for tweens, let me introduce you to THE WINTERTON DECEPTION! Meet 13-year-old twins Hope and Gordon. They’ve just found out that their dad was Brandon Winterton (of the wealthy dictionary magnate family). Unfortunately, Hope can’t stand rich people, especially since the twins and their mom are barely making ends meet and living in a motel. But their fortune is about to change.

When Gordon enters the family into the Winterton Bee, they’re thrust into into the midst of family’s secrets, with a deadly enemy, and a scavenger hunt set up by the family’s dead matriarch. 

This is a fast-paced mystery with plenty to gnaw on between the twin relationship, family drama, character development, and flashbacks that help readers learn more about the Winterton family.

So happy that more and more mysteries are coming out for readers in the 6th-8th grades. This one does touch a bit on addiction and there’s a scene where the kids’ lives are in danger but all ends well!

It’s out at the end of October! 🤩

#mysteriesforkids #middlegradebooks #bookstagram
👯‍♀️ TWINS in middle grade literature 💕 

I love seeing more twins in middle grade books. For a long time, the only twins I knew in middle grade lit were the Sweet Valley High girlies. Then, I got a glimpse of twin life with Issa and Jessie in @karinaisreadingandwriting’s THE VANDERBEEKERS. 

Since then, we’ve seen more depictions of twins, including Varian Johnson’s TWINS (a graphic novel about twin sisters Francine and Maureen entering 6th grade), MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, and Hope and Gordon in THE WINTERTON DECEPTION (review to come)!

And of course, these two books, TWIN CITIES and SAVING SUNSHINE (which I just started and am loving)! While these stories will appeal to twins, I think everyone who’s ever been curious about twins will love getting a glimpse into what life feels like as one half of a whole. 

Which middle grade twin stories have you read and loved? 😍 

#middlegrade #twinbooks #mglit #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the 📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the truth 

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, Avvisi writer’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes when they tell the truth. 

After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, cinzia and her mestra are arrested at night and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. 

Besides the wonderfully imaginative and powerful storyline, loved the visuals and the diversity representation in this graphic novel. The main character has a bad leg and gets around with a walking stick, which is something rarely depicted in graphic novels (and it’s barely even discussed—it just is!).

Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

#graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites 🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites

Looking for an upper middle grade book about ballet, friendships, and body image? Meet TURNING POINT. 

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

Paula Chase is one of my favorite writers for this audience and this may be my favorite of hers so far. It’s in the same universe as two of her previous books, DOUGH BOYS and SO DONE but you don’t need to read them in order. 

I’d say her books are great for kids ages 12+
Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

#booksbooksbooks #mglit #bookstagram
🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

I’d seen this book floating around for ages but was never drawn to it (the cover maybe?) until I saw a review somewhere I can’t remember 🤪 I was pleasantly surprised!

Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

I’d recommend this one to 6th graders and up (heads up for content warning: text mentions and depicts illicit drug use by a minor, although portrayed in a negative light) as a fascinating look into Mexican culture, life as a twin, and finding your own identity.

#kidlit #graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man An ♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man

Ant isn’t your average 10 year old. He loves a good game of spades and he and his best friend are planning to revamp their reputation after losing badly at the last spades tournament. But things are changing in Ant’s life. His dad is acting weird, asking him to hide things from his mom. There’s a new girl in class who Ant maybe likes and who plays spades better than many boys he knows. 

When his best friend is grounded, Ant teams up with Shirley, hoping to impress his father and finally be tough like Joplin men should be. But instead, he learns what it really means to be a man—and it’s not about never crying.

There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

#mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebookies #kidlit #booksforkids
❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now. 

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

I really enjoyed Lolo’s story. It’s strongly reminiscent of classics like Ramona and Lolo’s voice leaps off the pages. The setting is also an unmistakable part of this story and the story feels drenched in summer. My heart went out to Lolo who always feels like she’s the reason why everything’s gone awry. I also laughed plenty at her way of seeing the world. 

This book is perfect for family readalouds especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too.

#mglit #summerbooks #booksforelementaryschoolkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
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