Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl Reading Comprehension Questions
by Debbi Michiko Florence
Part of the Jasmine Toguchi series · Book 2 of 2
Book Summary
Jasmine Toguchi, a third-grader, feels left out when her older sister learns to make mochi for the Obon festival. Jasmine wants to do something special and decides she wants to be a taiko drummer, even though her mother says it's 'not for girls.' With the help of her grandmother, Obaachan, who reveals her own drumming past, Jasmine convinces her mother to let her learn. Jasmine works hard, learns about the traditions of taiko, and ultimately performs at the festival, proving that girls can be drummers too.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl.
1.What festival was Jasmine's family preparing for at the beginning of the story?
2.What did Jasmine's older sister, Sophie, want to learn how to make?
3.Who helped Jasmine convince her mother to let her try taiko drumming?
4.Why did Jasmine feel left out at the beginning of the story?
5.How did Obaachan likely feel when she revealed that she and Mama used to be taiko drummers?
6.What can you infer about Mama's feelings about taiko drumming by the end of the story?
7.What lesson does Jasmine learn about achieving her goals?
8.One of the main ideas of the story is about breaking gender stereotypes. How does Jasmine show this?
9.How did Obaachan's sharing her own history with taiko drumming affect Jasmine's goal?
10.In the story, what does the word **Obon** mean?
11.When Jasmine was **captivated** by the taiko drummers, what does that mean?
12.Jasmine showed great **perseverance** by practicing drumming every day. What does perseverance mean?
13.If you were Jasmine, and your parent told you that something you wanted to do was 'not for girls' or 'not for boys,' how would you feel? What would you do?
14.Jasmine learned about her family's history with taiko drumming through Obaachan. Why do you think it's important to learn about your family's history or traditions?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl with children.
What was your favorite part of Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Debbi Michiko Florence wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl?
Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl by Debbi Michiko Florence is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Jasmine Toguchi, Drummer Girl for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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