Author Profile
Debbi Michiko Florence
8 Books
Debbi Michiko Florence writes warm, lively books for children and teens, often centered on friendship, family, identity, and the everyday bravery of growing up. She is the author of the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series, which follows a spirited Japanese American girl as she tries new things, learns from mistakes, and celebrates her family traditions. Her books also include the My Furry Foster Family series, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, and A Study in Secrets. Florence’s stories are known for humor, heart, and characters who feel real to readers navigating school, friendships, pets, crushes, and change. Across age levels, her work offers inviting, relatable stories with a strong sense of kindness and belonging.
Books in "Jasmine Toguchi"
Jasmine Toguchi is ready for time with Sophie in Japan, but her cousin Akari has other plans.
In Hiroshima, Jasmine visits her grandmother and meets Akari, hoping for a new friend and more fun with her big sister. Instead, Akari seems much more interested in Sophie. Jasmine feels left out, jealous, and unsure how to keep the peace when her feelings keep bubbling over.
With gentle humor and a strong family heart, this chapter book explores visiting relatives, making room for new friendships, and handling jealousy in a way young readers will recognize. Jasmine's trip also offers a thoughtful introduction to Hiroshima, kindness, and connection across distance.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
76 Pages
Japan is wonderful, but Jasmine Toguchi is starting to miss home.
When her family visits Kabo, the village where her grandmother grew up, Jasmine hopes the beach, tangerine grove, and local festival will shake off her homesick mood. She especially wants to explore with her older sister Sophie. But Sophie would rather stay inside reading manga, and Jasmine cannot understand why her sister will not just have fun with her.
This warm chapter book follows Jasmine through a summer adventure filled with family feelings, cultural discovery, and small mistakes. As she learns to compromise, readers see how sisters can care about each other even when they want different things.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
88 Pages
Jasmine Toguchi has packed her toothbrush, her special journal, and a huge amount of excitement.
Her family is going to Japan, and Tokyo is full of things to discover: temples, city views, ramen shops, and places Jasmine has only heard about before. But exploring a new country is not always easy. Jasmine makes mistakes, gets confused, and cannot seem to escape her older sister Sophie's bad mood.
With humor and heart, this illustrated chapter book follows Jasmine as she tries to find her footing far from home. Readers will enjoy the travel adventure, the sibling tension, and the lively introduction to Japanese culture through the eyes of a curious eight-year-old who wants very much to be brave.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
90 Pages
Jasmine Toguchi is not ready for her trip to Japan to end.
In Kyoto, she has more to see, more to learn, and more time with Sophie and Obaachan. Her grandmother helps her slow down and notice the moment she is in, but Jasmine is already worrying about how far away Obaachan will feel once she returns to the United States.
So Jasmine makes a plan, complete with vegetable seeds, a pink flamingo, and plenty of love. This heartfelt chapter book blends humor, travel, gardening, and family connection as Jasmine looks for a way to carry part of her Japan visit home with her.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
86 Pages
Jasmine Toguchi is tired of Sophie doing everything first.
As New Year's approaches, Jasmine's family gathers in Los Angeles to make mochi. Sophie gets to help the women roll the soft rice treats, but Jasmine is told she is too young. That is when Jasmine spots a different chance: pounding mochi with the men. It is special, it is important, and Sophie has definitely never done it before.
But tradition says mochi pounding is for boys, and the heavy hammer is not easy to lift. With determination, humor, and plenty of mess, Jasmine sets out to prove she deserves a turn. This lively first book in the Jasmine Toguchi series celebrates family, Japanese American culture, and a girl who wants to make her own place.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
128 Pages
Jasmine Toguchi has a mystery to solve, and it starts with a weekend that refuses to go according to plan.
Girl's Day should mean fun with her sister, her mom, and her best friend Linnie. There are outfits to choose, accessories to find, and a special Japanese celebration to enjoy. But then Linnie acts strangely, Sophie seems uninterested, and Jasmine starts noticing clues everywhere.
As Jasmine tries to figure out what is really going on, she discovers that not every mystery is about hidden objects or secret messages. Some clues are about feelings, friendship, and paying attention to the people you love. This warm, funny chapter book is a sweet choice for readers who enjoy family stories, friendship puzzles, and a curious heroine with plenty of energy.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
125 Pages
The school talent show is coming, and Jasmine Toguchi needs a talent fast.
Her friends already seem ready: yo-yos, dancing, piano. Jasmine can climb trees, make mochi, and create collages, but none of those feel quite right for the stage. Then her mom introduces her to taiko, a traditional Japanese drum, and Jasmine finally hears a beat that feels like hers.
Practicing is exciting, but Jasmine also wants to beat Maggie Milsap, who is sure she will have the best act. This funny, encouraging chapter book follows Jasmine as she learns a new skill and discovers that trying your best can matter more than being the best.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
129 Pages
Jasmine Toguchi wants a pet. Not just any pet. A flamingo.
When her best friend gets a puppy, Jasmine starts dreaming of a pet of her own. Then her grandmother sends a daruma doll from Japan, and Jasmine uses it to make her biggest wish yet. To prove she is ready, she cleans, helps, brushes her teeth, takes out the trash, and studies flamingos with serious determination.
But flamingos are not exactly ordinary house pets, and Jasmine's wish may be harder to grant than she expected. Warm, funny, and full of family feeling, this illustrated chapter book follows Jasmine as she learns about responsibility, hope, and the surprising ways a wish can come true.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
126 Pages
