About Debbi
Long Bio: Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of upper middle grade novels Sweet and Sour, Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, and This Is How I Roll. She has a debut middle grade series called Last Chance Academy coming in spring 2025 and several other projects in the works! She is also the author of three chapter books series including Jasmine Toguchi with four new books: book 5 Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer, book 6 Jasmine Toguchi Peace-Maker, book 7 Jasmine Toguchi Bridge Builder, and book 8 Jasmine Toguchi Great Gardener. Follow Jasmine as she travels to Japan on vacation! And Debbi co-authored a picture book biography, Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites.
A former classroom teacher, Debbi has spoken on panels at conferences and book festivals, taught writing workshops for children and adults, and loves doing author visits at schools and libraries. She is on the faculty of The Highlights Foundation. She also co-hosts an Asian American Voices In-Community Retreat with Grace Lin. For more info here is a podcast interview.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Debbi was a raptor rehabilitator, an outdoor educator, and a zoo educator. A third-generation Japanese American, born and raised in California, Debbi now lives in Connecticut with her husband and rescue dog Kiku where she writes in her studio, The Word Nest. She loves dogs, coffee, boba tea, BTS, running and hiking, and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Short Bio: A third-generation Japanese American, Debbi Michiko Florence is the acclaimed author of more than 20 books for children and tweens. Her books have received starred reviews, JLG Selections, and inclusion on lists such as Amazon Best Books and the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. She loves to write stories about friendship and family. Her middle grade novels include Sweet and Sour and Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai. She is also the author of the award-winning Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series. A native Californian, Debbi now lives in Connecticut.
Represented by Tricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
Member of SCBWI, PEN America, Authors Guild.
Article on Discover Nikkei, Where Dreams Come True: The Works of Debbi Michiko Florence by Chiani Fujiwara
Interview with Debbi Michiko Florence on Bee The Love
