Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim has garnered praise for its heartwarming and humorous portrayal of a young Korean-American girl's journey to self-discovery and confidence through stand-up comedy. Reviewers appreciated the relatable protagonist and cultural representation. However, some found the plot predictable and certain character arcs underdeveloped. Overall, an engaging read for middle-grade audiences.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim will captivate middle-grade readers who enjoy humorous and heartfelt coming-of-age stories. Fans of Front Desk by Kelly Yang and Wish by Barbara O'Connor will appreciate Yumi’s relatable struggles with identity, cultural expectations, and her dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim follows 11-year-old Yumi, who dreams of being a stand-up comedian but feels overshadowed by her overachieving sister and pressured by her Korean American parents' expectations. When she seizes a chance to attend a comedy camp by pretending to be another student, Yumi's deceptions lead to challenges that force her to reconcile her ambitions with her family's values while navigating friendships and self-discovery.

Humorous / Heartwarming / Inspirational / Playful / Hopeful

**Yumi Chung**  
An 11-year-old Korean American girl from Los Angeles with a strong desire to be a stand-up comedian, who struggles with the expectations set by her overachieving sister and her parents' ambitions.

**Jasmine Jasper**  
A successful comedian with a large social media following who becomes Yumi's mentor through a comedy camp, offering guidance and support based on her own career challenges.

**Yuri Chung**  
Yumi’s 20-year-old sister and a medical school prodigy with a genius IQ, who grapples with the pressures of meeting family expectations while longing for personal fulfillment.

**Mr. Chung**  
Yumi’s hardworking father who runs Chung’s Barbecue, facing business challenges while harboring dreams of performing and supporting his family’s happiness.

**Mrs. Chung**  
Yumi’s mother with a strong emphasis on prestige and security, who works hard alongside her husband and eventually grows to understand her daughter's comedic aspirations.

**Mrs. Pak**  
Yumi’s demanding hagwon instructor who, despite her stern approach, delivers a crucial lesson about pursuing excellence and personal satisfaction.

**Ginny**  
Yumi’s best friend, a fellow Korean American hagwon student, who values tradition but also stands by her ethical beliefs, such as her commitment to veganism.

**Felipe**  
A supportive friend Yumi meets at comedy camp, who shares her love for comics and remains loyal despite uncovering Yumi’s secret deception.

**Sienna**  
Another friend from comedy camp with seemingly neglectful, Hollywood-connected parents, who values her friendship with Yumi despite misunderstandings.

**Manuel**  
The loyal cook at Chung’s Barbecue who encourages Yumi’s comedic ambitions, providing her with an appreciative audience and steadfast support.

Jessica Kim

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Stand Up, Yumi Chung! reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Stand Up, Yumi Chung! | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Stand Up, Yumi Chung! and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Summary and Study Guide

Background

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Chapters 1-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-14

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Chapters 8-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-22

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Chapters 15-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-30

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Chapters 23-30 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! Essay Topics

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Stand Up, Yumi Chung!?

Reading Age

Book Details