Please welcome my guest author today, Debbi Michiko Florence. I met her at Andrea Wang’s The Nian Monster author event at Newtonville Books last January.
I had already heard of her new Japanese American early chapter book series, Jasmine Toguchi, and made a point of telling her how excited I am for it.
There aren’t any Japanese American book series for kids! Her series is not only authentic but has a spunky girl character that reminds me of Ramona and Clementine. Please check it out!
We are giving away the first two books of the Jasmine Toguchi series, Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen and Jasmine Toguchi Super Sleuth. Please fill out the Rafflectopter at the bottom to enter.
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I’m so excited about the new crop of series blooming up with strong diverse girl characters! I especially love that while culture is an important aspect of the stories, it is not the main thread of the plot. And because of these series books, readers won’t have to stop with one story. Here are a few I’ve read and loved recently.
Chapter Books and Middle Grade Starring Diverse Girl Characters
Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
Seventh grader Stef Soto wants more freedom from her parents’ rules and from her father’s embarrassing taco truck, especially when a former friend makes snide comments about it. But when it seems like Stef might be free of the truck forever, she changes her mind and is determined to try to save her dad’s business.
I love Stef’s big heart! I was rooting for her throughout the story. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Lola Levine Meets Jelly and Bean by Monica Brown
Lola Levine is excited! This summer break she is getting a kitten. But Lola’s happiness soon turns to distress when she realizes her little brother might be allergic to her new pet.
I love that Lola is an animal lover, and while she makes a judgment error when trying to keep her pet, she realizes her mistake and makes amends. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee Frazier
Cleopatra Edison Oliver has a big goal to be a major businesswoman like her idol Fortune A. Davis. Cleo comes up with a brilliant idea but things go wrong and both her business and her friendship with her best friend fall into jeopardy.
This story made me laugh out loud, get teary, and cheer as Cleo figured her way out of her messes. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Cilla Lee-Jenkins, Future Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan
Cilla Lee-Jenkins is not overly thrilled that she is soon to become a big sister. To ensure that her family doesn’t forget about her, she writes a story about the one topic she knows best, herself.
Cilla is full of honesty, great imagination, and humor as she embarks on her quest while dealing with feelings of jealousy over her soon-to-be sibling. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery by Jill Diamond
Lou Lou and Pea live in a tight-knit neighborhood where the two best friends can wander to visit their favorite neighbors and shops. But when bad things start to happen, the girls are determined to solve the mysteries.
I love the friendship between Lou Lou and Pea and what a great team they make while trying to solve the mystery – brave Lou Lou is tempered by the more cautious Pea. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
And for a slightly younger age group, the chapter book series Jasmine Toguchi:
Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence
Jasmine Toguchi is tired of her big sister getting to do everything first. Jasmine decides that this New Year’s she is not only going to take part in the family tradition of making mochi (a Japanese sweet treat) even though she is deemed too young, but she is going to do the boy’s job of pounding the mochi. Will she be able to get strong enough and convince her family in time?
I’m biased – but I love Jasmine’s determination and spunk. [early chapter book, ages 6 and up]
Jasmine Toguchi 2 Book GIVEAWAY!
One winner will receive the first two books of the Jasmine Toguchi series, Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen and Jasmine Toguchi Super Sleuth. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to US addresses due to the high cost of shipping.
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My books:
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We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Honor Book Award
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I would love to read the Jasmine Toguchi series. I love spunky girl characters and so do many of my students. I’ve also always wanted to try mochi!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for entering!
Hoping 2 win first 2 chapter books of JASMINE TOGUCHI series by @DebbiMichiko for #bookexcursion group (*waves at earlier commenter, Lisa* Hi #bookexcursion buddy!)
So funny! We think alike!
🙂
Love your wave! Thanks for entering Kimberly!!
Looking forward to this new series! Girl power!
Hi Melissa,
It is a great series! Thanks for entering! I loved it!
My 8-year-old and I will be reading Jasmine Toguchi for sure! And I’ll be telling my friends about it, as well, of course. Can’t wait! Thanks for the shout out for Cleo Edison Oliver, Pragmatic Mom! I love hearing a book made people cheer and tear–always my goal 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing Sundee!!! Love the girl power!
Hooray for Jasmine Toguchi!!! Congrats, Debbi!! <3 <3 <3
Can’t wait for more Jasmine Toguchi books! The first two were amazing!
What a great group of books! We are currently reading the magic tree house series.
Magic Tree House feels like a rite of passage for all newly independent readers. All three of my kids read and loved them.
Walking with Miss Millie is one I was talking to my 11yo about today…
I read your review MaryAnne. Sounds like an amazing book. Will add to my list tbr.
Im looking for some diverse character chapter books for my daughters. Im sure they will absolutely love the ones you have listed here in the blog. I want to read them myself! Love loved loved all the Beverly Cleary books as a child and read them over and over.
Hi Kimberly,
Some of my favorite diverse character chapter books include: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon series by Grace Lin, Wells and Wong mystery series by Robin Stevens, The Pharoah’s Secret by Marissa Moss,and Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins.
More diversity mysteries here: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2016/04/diversity-mystery-books-kids/
Diversity Books Like Percy Jackson: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2015/06/multicultural-books-percy-jackson/
More lists of Diversity Chapter and Young Adult books on the Multicultural Children’s Book Day book lists: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-chapter-books/
Diverse Early Chapter Book lists here too: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/diversity-books-by-genre/diverse-easy-readers-early-chapter-books/
Hi Kimberly,
I’m so glad that you are seeking out diversity chapter books!
I have been so intrigued by the Jasmine Toguchi books since seeing them earlier this year. Hope to win!
Thanks for entering Amber! It’s a fresh new voice and I’m so excited for this series!
I can’t think of the name at this moment but its a cute book with this diverse curly girl. Would love to add these to pur library. ♡
Hi Nicholette,
Thanks for entering!
Love this post, and what a great giveaway! We’ve just discovered the Mickey Rangel mysteries.
Hi Leanna,
I have to find that series! Thanks for entering!
Asia Citro’s new Zoey and Sassafras series has been a summer delight. Grace Lin’s books always are a hit with my library patrons. Gabby Garcia’s Ultimate Playbook has been popular. I am very excited to check out Jasmine Toguchi!
Thanks for those great book recs Lisa!
I’m loving how much kids today are able to see themselves in books! Every time I catch a book with a diverse main character and/or storyline, I get a little giddy 🙂
I am the same! It’s amazing how much the children’s book publishing industry has changed in just four years though there is still room to improve in the area of own voices.
So happy to see so many diverse heroines !!!! Girl Power Unite!! Happy MCBD.
Yay for strong and diverse girls!
Loving seeing the strong girls from all cultures!! Thank you for sharing!!
I love that strong girls are being represented across cultures too!