Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl by Debbi Michiko Florence

Once again, Sophie would do something before I did. This year would be Sophie’s first time getting to help. In my family, you had to be at least ten years old to make mochi. It’s hard work to make mochi, but there’s a reward-eating the gooey treat afterward.Īctually, all the other relatives do the hard work. We spend the entire day making mochi, Japanese sweet rice cakes. Every year, our relatives come over to our house to celebrate New Year’s. “Don’t spill or you’ll have to clean it up.” “Stop sweeping so hard! You’re making dust fly into the air!” This meant barking commands at me while she picked at the chipped polish on her fingernails. It was like being higher up made her more in charge. Just once, I wanted to be the expert.Īs I swept the piles into the dustpan, Sophie climbed up onto the kitchen stool. Just once, I wished I could do something first. She thought she was smarter and better than me. Not that I really want to play the piano. She even started piano lessons last year, and I have to wait another year. If that weren’t annoying enough, she also gets to do everything before me. Scattered across the kitchen floor, small mounds of dust and bits of trash sat like sand dunes on the beach. “I already finished sweeping,” Sophie announced from the next room. Helping Sophie would mean that I did all the work while she bossed me around. Walnuts! This was exactly what I was trying to avoid.

“We need to clean the house before everyone arrives tomorrow,” Mom said. “Jasmine Toguchi, where do you think you’re going?” But just as I put my hand on the doorknob, I heard footsteps behind me. Nobody in the hall! I ran to the front door. Dad has moved into the backyard! I tiptoed out of my room. I’d rather do any of those things right now. I, Jasmine Toguchi, do not like to clean! But I do like to climb trees, eat dessert, and make messes. I waited for my chance to escape the cleaning frenzy. My big sister, Sophie, was sweeping the kitchen floor. Dad was getting the cardboard boxes from the garage.

Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl by Debbi Michiko Florence