Good things come to those who work really hard. 

Several years ago, when her chapter book series, JASMINE TOGUCHI, was well underway, Debbi secretly dreamed of publishing a middle grade novel about a girl who loved chocolate, was starting seventh grade, navigating friendships and first crushes, while trying to keep it all together. 

Debbi told me, her agent, about her dream, and then she was kept busy with the chapter book series (four books published over two years), but we kept talking about it and working on it. 

Debbi never gave up on her middle grade novel dream.

And as a result of that . . . 

We’re so happy to finally get to announce to the world that Debbi’s debut middle grade novel will be published by Scholastic in summer 2020. 

Jenne Abramowitz at Scholastic has acquired Jasmine Toguchi author Debbi Michiko Florence's middle grade debut, Keep it Together, Keiko Carter. In the novel, billed as To All The Boys I Loved Before for tweens, Keiko navigates hope and heartache as she chooses between saving a splintering friendship and going after her first real crush. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights. 

We can’t wait for you all to meet Keiko. And in the meantime, let’s break out the chocolate. It’s so good! YUM.

Congratulations, Debbi!

-- Tricia