Interviews/Media:
- Meet the Author of Monster Maker: The Strange Creatures of Mark Nagata
- The Day: A Real ‘Mastermind’: Mystic author earned Edgar Award nod and releases new book
- The Children’s Book Podcast: Getting Back Home with Debbi Michiko Florence
- The Magnificent World of Toys and Creative Arts: The Origin of the Mark Nagata Monster Maker Book
- WNPR Where We Live: CT Authors Reflect on Food’s Power to Connect Us
- WFSB Great Day Connecticut: Local Tween Author (Media)
- Read with Val: From Japan to Mysteries Interview with Debbi Michiko Florence on Writing, Food, Celebrating Diversity!
- We Need Diverse Books: Q&A with Debbi Michiko Florence, Sweet and Sour by Nawal Qarooni
- MG Book Village: Interview with Debbi Michiko Florence about Sweet and Sour by Adrianna Cuevas
- Reading Middle Grade: Interview with Debbi Michiko Florence (Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai) by Afoma Umesi
- First Book: Debbi Michiko Florence: Creating the Drumming, Mochi Queen Jasmine Toguchi by Melanie Boyer
- The Reader’s Heart Podcast: Debbi Michiko Florence chats about her love for children’s literature and the power of books to shape our hearts. She also discusses her upcoming middle grade series, Last Chance Academy, and the joy of writing sweet romances for tween and early teen readers.
- Book Friends Forever: Episode #221 Grace Lin and Alvina Ling welcome special guest, author Debbi Michiko Florence and they discuss their experiences working in children’s book publishing as Asian American women.
- Hook of a Book: 100th Episode! This Is How I Roll (Interview with Debbi Michiko Florence)
Articles:
- Literary Hub: Most Anticipated Children’s Books of 2025 (Last Chance Academy 1: A Study in Secrets)
- The Day: The (new) Mystery of Debbi Michiko Florence by Rick Koster (Last Chance Academy 1: A Study in Secrets)
- NPR – Are You There, God? It’s Me, Juanita Review: This Sweet, Mid-Grade Novel Is Perfect for Budding Romance Fans by Juanita Giles
- Book Riot: Modern Middle Grade Reads like the Baby-Sitters Club by Ashlie Swicker (This Is How I Roll)
- Reading Middle Grade: Debbi Michiko Florence on Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai
- Parents Magazine: The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids and Teens by Toby Rose
- Washington Post: These Books Can Help Build Strong Girls – And Boys – for Today’s World
- Discover Nikkei: Where Dreams Come True: The Works of Debbi Michiko Florence by Chiani Fujiwara
- Mackin Community: On Becoming a Reader and Writer by Debbi Michiko Florence
- Reader Review of Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen
- Reader Review of Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl
Author Photos
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awards & distinctions
Last Chance Academy 1: A Study in Secrets: 2026 Edgar Award nomination for Best Juvenile, starred review from Publishers Weekly
On The Block: Stories of Home, Anthology edited by Ellen Oh: USA Today best-seller, starred review from Kirkus, starred review from Publishers Weekly, starred review from Booklist, starred review from School Library Journal, Kirkus Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
Sweet and Sour: Bank Street Books Best Books 2023, 2024-2025 South Carolina Jr. Book Award Winner, 2024 Sakura Medal nominee
Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai: starred review from Kirkus, Amazon Best Books of the Year, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
Keep It Together, Keiko Carter: New England Book Award finalist (NEIBA), Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites: starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, starred review from Booklist, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best of 2021, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award nominee 2023-2024, 2024 Sakura Medal nominee
Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen: Junior Library Guild selection, Amazon’s Best Children’s Books, Nerdy Book Club Award winner, Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, Amelia Bloomer List, CCBC Choices list. Otter Award (Washington Library Association) nominee, the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award (Oregon Library Association) nominee, and Nutmeg Book Award nominee (Connecticut Library Association).
Jasmine Toguchi Drummer Girl: Cybils Award winner, Junior Library Guild selection, Nerdy Book Club Award winner, CCBC Choices list, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books list, Romper’s 100 Progressive Books for Children, Maryland Blue Crab Award winner (Maryland Library Association).
Jasmine Toguchi Flamingo Keeper: Junior Library Guild selection, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books list.
My Furry Foster Family – Truman the Dog: Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books list, Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr (Florida) nominee, and the OTTER Award (Washington Library Association) nominee.