Debbi Michiko Florence

Debbi Michiko Florence is the author of the middle grade novel Keep It Together, Keiko Carter (Scholastic, May 2020), the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series (Farrar Straus Giroux), and other books for children.

A former classroom teacher and zoo educator, Debbi has spoken on panels at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention, the Decatur Book Festival, and the Brooklyn Book Festival, among others; taught workshops at the Jackson Hole Writers Young Authors Writing Camp, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and other conferences; and presented at numerous schools and libraries. She is on the faculty of the Highlights Foundation.

A third-generation Japanese American and native Californian, Debbi now lives in Connecticut with her husband, rescue dog, bunny, and duck. She loves to travel with her husband and daughter.

Photo credit: Roy Thomas