Debbi Michiko Florence

This is where you will find a full and updated list of reviews and news about This Is How I Roll! “A delightful middle grade rom-com that will leave readers hungry.” – Kirkus Reviews  Read the full Kirkus review here. “Written in a clear, straightforward style, the story includes mouth-watering descriptions of Japanese food, with… Read more »

She’s baaaaack! Jasmine Toguchi is back in a new set of chapter books and this time she and her family are going on vacation to Japan! Book 5 will be published on October 18, 2022. Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer by Debbi Michiko Florence Illustrations by Elizabet Vuković Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan Toothbrush? Check. Her special journal?… Read more »

I’m so excited for the upcoming launch party for Sweet and Sour at Bank Square Books in Mystic CT on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 3 PM! It is particularly special to be celebrating at this bookstore because the book is set in Mystic, and that’s Bank Square Books on the cover of the book. There… Read more »

I’m so thrilled to announce the pre-order campaign for my newest middle grade book, Sweet and Sour (September 6, 2022)! This is a book of my heart about childhood friendships set in Mystic, CT. I love love love the cover – big thanks to artist Jacqueline Li and cover designer Stephanie Yang. That’s my local… Read more »

This is where you’ll find a full and updated list of all reviews and news about Sweet and Sour! This is the playlist I listened to while writing Sweet and Sour: Apple Music Sweet and Sour Playlist “An endearing book exploring the ups and downs of friendship.”  Read the full review from Kirkus. “… uplifting… Read more »

I’m thrilled to share the cover of Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer, book 5 in the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series. Many thanks to Team Toguchi at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, editor Grace Kendall, illustrator Elizabet Vukovic, designer Angela Jun, and always to my agent Tricia Lawrence! Look for this book on September… Read more »

I’m thrilled to share the cover of my next middle grade novel: Sweet and Sour! Sweet and Sour, Scholastic/September 6, 2022 I love everything about this cover – how Mai and Zach are looking at each other, Bank Square Books in the background, the BT21 Cooky plush keychain on Mai’s tote bag, the clothes Mai… Read more »

This is where you’ll find links to all the news, reviews, and interviews for our picture book biography Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Jamie Michalak and Debbi Michiko Florence illustrated by Yuko Jones Farrar Straus and Giroux, September 2021   “Determined heroine, delightful story, delectable illustrations: Both young readers and their… Read more »

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, a companion novel to Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, publishes on August 3, 2021. First heartbreaks. Fierce competition. Family Drama. Who knew middle school would be so hard? I’m pleased to announce that you can pre-order the book now. If you pre-order from my local independent bookstore Bank Square Books/Savoy… Read more »

This is where you’ll find updated news and links to reviews and interviews. I’ll be updating regularly. Thanks for all your support! Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is available now! August 3, 2021 (Scholastic) “Heartbreak is for suckers.” When Jenna Sakai gets dumped over winter break, it confirms what she learned from her parents’ messy… Read more »