Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

School Visit at Indian Springs School!

I had the wonderful privilege of visiting with 150+ 4th and 5th graders at Indian Springs Elementary School in Columbus, OH! After an "assembly-style" large presentation and Q & A, I got to run two writing workshops with smaller groups of students! This school is filled with book … [Read more...]

MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM Featured by Middle Grade at Heart!

I was honored to have MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM chosen as the January 2020 book club selection for Middle Grade at Heart! Check out the January newsletter for a Q & A, cool recipes, a writing activity, and artistic activity! Subscribe to the Middle Grade at Heart newsletter to find more awesome MG … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal: GIRL VERSUS SQUIRREL by Hayley Barrett, Illustrated by Renée Andriani

Today, on National Squirrel Appreciation Day, I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of the latest picture book by my dear friend and critique partner, Hayley Barrett! Hayley is the author of BABYMOON, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and WHAT MISS MITCHELL SAW, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. Her next … [Read more...]

My Interview on The Children’s Book Podcast!

This week I had the incredible opportunity to speak with marvelous Matthew Winner on The Children's Book Podcast! I'm a huge fan of Matthew, a fantastic children's librarian who does superlative work spreading book love. We chatted about MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM and what it means to me, my favorite line … [Read more...]

Another Best of List on Librarian’s Quest!

I was honored to find MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM featured on Librarian's Quest, a fantastic blog by librarian Margie Myers-Culver. Not only does she list the titles, cover images, and descriptions of these extraordinary 2019 middle grade books, she also posts links for more info, and quotes from the books! … [Read more...]

A Nerdy Book Award!

Each year since 2011, the Nerdy Book Club, a remarkable group of book bloggers and educators, selects its favorite books of the year. I was thrilled and honored to find that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is on their list of 2019 middle grade novels! Check out this incredible list of books, and watch your TBR … [Read more...]

I’m Available to Skype for World Read Aloud Day!

World Read Aloud Day is February 5, 2020! Educators can sign up to Skype with me by emailing me at rajani@rajanilarocca.com! Plan on a 15-20 minute session that includes a reading from MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM, Q & A, and book recommendations. Contact me today to schedule a session! Please include the … [Read more...]

A #KidsNeedMentors School Visit!

This fall, I joined the #KidsNeedMentors program, which matches authors with teachers and classrooms across the country to form a school-year partnership to connect kids to authors and inspire them as readers and writers. I was matched with Patricia Palmer's 4th grade class in Stoughton, MA. So far … [Read more...]

The Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books of 2019!

I am honored and utterly thrilled that MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM was named one of the best middle grade books of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews! It's wonderful to be on this list with so many incredible authors, many of whom I've met in my travels this year! Check out the full list here. … [Read more...]

nErDCamp LI!

I was honored to join almost 50 fellow authors and over 300 educators at nErDCampLI this year! We shared inspiration, information, and our love of books, and a wonderful time was had by all! The incredible organizers made us all feel like stars...just take a look at the decorations, complete with a … [Read more...]

Bristow Middle School!

I traveled to Bristow Middle School in West Hartford, CT to visit some awesome students!! Not only had many of them read MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM; a couple of young bakers made scrumptious gulab jakmun cupcakes and chocolate chunk cookies with thyme and citrus zest from the book! After snacking and … [Read more...]

Kidquake!!

I was so fortunate to be invited to Kidquake at the San Francisco Public Library this year!! As part of the annual Litquake celebration, I got to present alongside amazing authors and illustrators Ellen Klages, Diana Toledano, and K-Fai Steele!! The auditorium full of students heard about our … [Read more...]

Builta School!

Visiting the Builta School in Bolingbrook, IL was such a treat...just take a look at the incredible MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM art they created using their school mascot, the badger! The students also made cupcake art, described ingredients they'd use in their baked goods, and wrote about creating with … [Read more...]

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