Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl

By Debbi Michiko Florence and Elizabet Vukovic

*A fun activity included in every book!*

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018
A CYBILS Easy Reader and Early Chapter Book Award Winner

It’s talent show time at school, and eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is excited to show her stuff. But as she thinks about her strengths—tree-climbing, mochi making, collage—none of them feel quite right to perform on-stage. Jasmine’s friends already have a talent: Tommy yo-yo’s, Daisy dances, and Linnie plays piano. Plus, Maggie Milsap (aka Miss Perfect) is saying she'll have the best talent.

When Jasmine’s mom introduces her to the taiko, a traditional Japanese drum, Jasmine finally finds an activity that feels just right. But will she be good enough at taiko in time to beat Maggie Milsap?

Join Jasmine as she discovers her talent—and the difference between being the best and trying your best.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Apr 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9780374304188

Debbi Michiko Florence

Debbi Michiko Florence is a third-generation Japanese American and has many fond memories of sharing in her family’s traditions while growing up in California and visiting her relatives in Japan. Debbi is also the author of novels and picture books, including Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband and their many animals (but no flamingo).

Book preview

Begin Reading

Table of Contents

About the Author and Illustrator

Copyright Page

Thank you for buying this

Farrar, Straus and Giroux ebook.

To receive special offers, bonus content,

and info on new releases and other great reads,

sign up for our newsletters.

Or visit us online at

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

For email updates on Debbi Michiko Florence, click here.

For email updates on Elizabet Vuković, click here.

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

FOR MY NIECE LAUREL MISA PARKISON, WHO SHARES JASMINE’S MIDDLE NAME AND SPUNK! —D.M.F.

FOR DRAGO, MY DAD (WHO TELLS ME TO KEEP PRACTICING) —E.V.

1

AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

Bong bong bong bing!

Ms. Sanchez, my third-grade teacher, played the start-of-the-day song on her xylophone. Everyone in room 5, including me, sat up straight at their desk and got quiet.

Happy Monday, class, Ms. Sanchez said. Buenos días!

That means good morning. Ms. Sanchez was teaching us Spanish.

Buenos días, Señora Sanchez, I said along with my classmates.

We have a special guest this morning, she said.

Just then, Mrs. Tasker, our principal, walked into the room. Even though we were already sitting up straight, we all sat up a little straighter. The principal is like the boss of the school. If a student gets into trouble, he or she gets sent to the principal’s office.

I, Jasmine Toguchi, try hard to stay out of trouble. But sometimes trouble finds me. That’s what my mom says, at least. I like to climb my neighbor’s apricot tree, play dress up with my best friend, Linnie Green, make collages, and eat brownies without nuts. Sometimes I tear my jeans while climbing, lose track of time, get glue on the table, and leave crumbs on the floor. All things my mom wishes I wouldn’t do.

Good morning, Mrs. Tasker said.

Good morning, Mrs. Tasker, I said with the rest of the class.

She had a stack of papers in her hand. Was she giving us homework? I glanced at Ms. Sanchez for a clue. She was smiling. It couldn’t be a bad thing if she was smiling. Then again, she smiled when she gave us homework. She had a strange sense of what was fun.

I have an exciting announcement, Mrs. Tasker said. This Saturday, we’re having a school-wide talent show. All of your families will be invited.

Tommy Fraser raised his hand from the front row. What’s a talent show? he blurted out without waiting to be called on.

I’m glad you asked, Tommy, Mrs. Tasker said. A talent show is when students can show off a special or fun talent. Like singing, or playing an instrument, or reciting a poem you wrote. Anything, really! You can choose to do something on your own, with a group, or with the entire class. I’ll let Ms. Sanchez help you make that decision.

Linnie and I smiled at each other.

Put on your thinking caps, Mrs. Tasker said. Fill out the form with your special talent and get a parent to sign it. The show will be in the auditorium on Saturday night.

Wowee zowee! This sounded like fun! I had many talents. Which

Reviews for Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl

[eo206 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I chose this as a read-aloud for my incoming first grader and it was a great book. The chapters are the right length for a read-aloud and the story was a good one to share. I loved how the author writes about being Japanese American without making it over-the-top. In the story, Jasmine wants to enter the school's talent show but is worried she doesn't have a talent. Her mom and mom's friend teach her a short taiko song and Jasmine learns the value of practice, humility, and sticking with an activity to have success.