Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

A Beautiful Book Birthday for WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET!

I was so delighted to celebrate the Book Birthday of my picture book, WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET! This picture book of my heart is about a road trip, a family, and love that crosses oceans. I'm so delighted that it's out in the world! I got to visit Silver Unicorn Books and sign books in person, and … [Read more...]

RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a New England Book Award Finalist!

I'm honored and delighted that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been named by the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) as a New England Book Award Finalist! I'm thrilled to see this book of my heart among so many incredible books! The award winners will be announced in the fall. See the … [Read more...]

A Lovely Event with Chris Baron and Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore!

I loved hanging out with my friend Chris Baron with Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore to celebrate the release of his latest middle grade novel, THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT, which released the same day as MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL! Check out our fun, far-ranging discussion below! powered by Crowdcast … [Read more...]

I talk MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL with Kirkus Reviews!

I loved chatting with Kirkus Reviews about reading, writing, the inspiration for MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, and the Indian American experience...as well as who in the world are the New England Turkeys? Check out the full interview here.   … [Read more...]

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award Winner!

I'm so thrilled that SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2021 Skipping Stones Magazine Honor Award Winner! Congrats to all the winners, books that "promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology, and diversity. They foster respect for multiple … [Read more...]

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS on the Long List for the Massachusetts Book Award!

I was thrilled to learn that my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS, has been selected as a Must Read title selected by the Massachusetts Center for the Book — the long list for the Massachusetts Book Award! I'm even more delighted that I'm joined by fellow Soaring '20s Kelly Carey and Mary … [Read more...]

The Women in STEM and Kidlit Panel at the Heart of STEM Conference!

I loved being on this panel with fellow authors Julie Hampton, Janice Lao, and Vicky Fang for a "Women in STEM and Kidlit" panel as part of the Heart of STEM Conference for educators! We had such a wonderful time chatting about our careers, why we write books for kids with STEM elements, and how to … [Read more...]

A Fantastic Virtual Launch for MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL with Chris Baron!

I was SO delighted that I got to iconic New York City bookstore Books of Wonder hosted the virtual launch of MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL and the launch of my dear friend Chris Baron's newest novel, THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT! Chris and I met because our debut novels, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and ALL OF ME, … [Read more...]

My Writer’s Digest Article on Writing MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL

What was it like writing MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL? Well, as you can see in this interview I did for Writer's Digest, the struggle is real! But I found my way through the challenge of writing this book my confronting and using an old nemesis: the synopsis. Read on, and find out how I wrote my middle … [Read more...]

nErDCampKS 2021!

I had a wonderful time at the (virtual) nErDCampKS 2021! I took part in a deep, thoughtful discussion of how literature can help children be the "heroes of their own stories" with Kirsten Larson, Lindsay Metcalf, Bethany Hegedus, and Supriya Kelkar! And I was also part of a fabulous … [Read more...]

MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM Author Fan Face-off!

I was so excited to be invited by acclaimed author Steve Sheinkin and awesome librarian Stacey Rattner on their Author Fan Face-off on YouTube! I was challenged by a young fan, 6th grader Astrid, who REALLY knew everything there is to know about MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM! I was so impressed by her … [Read more...]

MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL on the TODAY Show!!

I was stunned and overjoyed to see bestselling author Brad Thor recommend MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL on the TODAY Show! He called it "one of the best children's books I've read in the last ten years" and calling me "a brilliant children's book author." My mind is  BLOWN! MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL … [Read more...]

The MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL Book Trailer!

I'm so delighted to share the book trailer for my forthcoming middle grade novel, MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL, which will release on June 15, 2021! It's a companion novel to my debut, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, and involves two twelve-year-old math competition rivals who end up on the same summer baseball … [Read more...]

Talking RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE with Laura Pegram of Kweli Journal!

I adored chatting with Laura Pegram of Kweli Journal about writing RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE and all that went into it — including learning about writing verse and researching the medical aspects of the book. We had a wonderful time, despite some minor technical difficulties (some video, some audio). … [Read more...]

My Post on the Shelf Stuff Blog about Celebrating Small Moments

I loved writing this blog post for the Shelf Stuff Blog about Celebrating Small Moments and how this ties into Reha's story in RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE. Check out the whole post here, and read on for my 80s playlist and carrot halwa recipe! … [Read more...]

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