Showing results by narrator "Allison Hiroto" in All Categories

The Itos have finally been allowed to return home to California—but nothing is as they left it. The entire Japanese American community is starting from scratch, with thousands of people living in dismal refugee camps while they struggle to find new houses and jobs in over-crowded Los Angeles. Aki is working as a nurse’s aide at the Japanese Hospital in Boyle Heights when an elderly Issei man is admitted with suspicious injuries. When she seeks out his son, she is shocked to recognize her husband’s best friend, Babe Watanabe. Could Babe be guilty of elder abuse?

Eight-year-old Jasmine and her family travel to Hiroshima to visit her grandma and cousin Akari. After finally building a good relationship with her older sister, Sophie, Jasmine couldn't be more excited to spend time together in Japan—and make a new friend in Akari. But Akari seems to only want to play with Sophie, and Jasmine's jealousy threatens to upend their visit. Can Jasmine befriend Akari and keep the peace?

Japan is awesome but Jasmine is beginning to miss home and her best friend, Linnie. She’s hoping her next adventure to a village called Kabo, where her grandmother grew up, is just what she needs to get out of this rut. Jasmine is pleased to find out there’s a beach, tangerine grove, and even a local festival to attend. She is hoping to explore with her big sister, Sophie. But, walnuts! Sophie is no fun. All she wants to do is read her Japanese manga and stay inside. If Jasmine’s best friend Linnie was there, she’d definitely play with her, so why won’t Sophie?

Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is now an expert on travel and doesn't want summer to end! In this final book chronicling her family vacation in Japan, she visits Kyoto. And wowee zowee, on this vacation there is still lots more to see. This is their last stop, and Jasmine is thrilled to be enjoying the city with her older sister, Sophie, and her Obaachan who teaches her how to live in the moment. Sad to see their trip coming to an end, in true Jasmine fashion, she hatches a plan.