I love these books so much. I love that they teach readers about Japanese culture and this time, how to not be a totally offensive person while traveling in Japan! I, so glad I read this! And now I want to go to the temple and the top of Tokyo tower! And I love the chopsticks tutorial in the back and the dorayaki recipe!

This was a really cute chapter book about Jasmine a Japanese American girl and her adventures with her friends and family. Jasmine and her family go to Japan for vacation which is explored in the next 4 books in this series, in this first book which cover about 4 days we start with Jasmine trying to pack for the trip while her sister Sophie is being a grouch. Jasmines best friend Linnie gives her a journal to use to document her 2-week vacation and so we get journal entries spread out through the book as well. They get to Japan and spend the next 2 days going to the landmark that each girl picked that they wanted to go to before heading to Hiroshima to visit their grandma. All in all, a really cute story and perfect for 3rd graders and love the little history about chopsticks at the end of the book with the recipe for the pancakes they get from a street vendor in Japan.
Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was such a cute, elementary grade book. Jasmine is a super, likeable character that I think a lot of kids are going to be able to relate to. It’s also a quick, simple read written in a way that they can easily understand.
Jasmine is super excited to go to Japan, but she’s frustrated because her big sister is constantly being grumpy. She wants her sister and her to be friends again. As she continues her travels, she and her sister slowly start to bond as she learns more and more about Japan and its culture.
I think one of my favorite things about this book is how it celebrates Japanese culture in a very authentic way. I think a lot of Japanese kids will appreciate being able to see themselves on the page. Also, even if they’re not Japanese, it’s a really good opportunity for kids to learn a little more about Japan. The author even included some easy Japanese words that are woven throughout the story in a genuine way.
I’m sure they will understand the struggle Jasmine faces with her know-it-all big sister. She learns to appreciate her sister a little bit more. But it’s done in a very realistic way because there are still sisters who are going to fight and disagree. It wasn’t mushy or too adulty.
I would definitely recommend this book to any elementary grade kids. I think they’re really going to love it!
Highlights:
No language
No innuendos
Conventional family values
Sweet sister relationship
Learning to not push others if they don’t want to do something
Easy to read writing style
Diversity!
Kids will learn about Japan

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

What a delightful read! My Media Center has other books in this series and this book will be a welcomed addition to the collection. Jasmine and her family, which includes older sister, Sophie, her mom and her dad are all embarking on a family vacation to Japan.
Elementary school students will certainly be able to relate to the necessary preparation for a trip. The author touches on packing for a trip which can be fun and disconcerting at the same time. She also introduces the complicated relationship between sisters which resounds throughout the book, coming to a satisfactory and loving conclusion.
Excitement permeates the book. Jasmine is open to exploration and the author conveys uncovering something for the first time beautifully. The family relationships are explored as well as the exposure to a new culture, whose customs differ from what someone is accustomed to, . The illustrations are so creative and clever
I especially liked the Author's Note and hope all readers will see it. The history of chopsticks is defined and what's especially fun are the directions on how to use them. It's simultaneously informational and entertaining!