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Jasmine Toguchi: Drummer Girl

When Jasmine discovers that her school is holding a talent show, she wonders how she’ll choose among her many talents. But as she learns her classmates’ plans (dancing, piano playing, yoyo tricks), Jasmine begins to question whether she can do anything as impressive. New student Maggie’s incessant bragging about her skills as a violinist intensify Jasmine’s anxiety. With her mother’s help, Jasmine comes up with an idea that she’s eager to pursue: playing taiko, a traditional Japanese drum. Although Jasmine continues to worry—proficiency doesn’t come instantly—with lessons from her mom’s college friend and diligent practice she credibly masters a simple drum routine for the talent show. This latest entry in a series starring a contemporary Japanese American eight-year-old continues to serve up appealing and realistic drama well suited to its audience. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-9
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Formats: Easy Reader Novel
Subjects: Anxiety Asian Americans Japanese and Japanese Americans Music and Musicians School
Diversity subject: Asian

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Publish Year: 2018
Pages: 116
ISBN: 9780374308360

CCBC Location: Fiction, Florence

Jasmine Toguchi: Drummer Girl