Rajani LaRocca

Award-winning Children's Book Author

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...]

Farewell 2019, Hello 2020!

Last year, I chose a theme word for 2019 using this word generator and got "savor," which felt perfect for me and my baking-themed debut novel. Here's what I said looking ahead to 2019: 2019 is going to be full of exciting moments, and I'm going to try to savor them, to slow down and revel a bit … [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...]

Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple at The Highlights Foundation!

I was absolutely overjoyed to attend the 7th (!) annual Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple! It took place at the always-welcoming, always-inspiring Highlights Foundation, where twenty-four lucky picture book authors got to learn from Jane and Heidi and from each other. We also … [Read more...]

Kids’ Baking Contest at Aesop’s Fable!

Aesop's Fable, a fantastic bookstore in Holliston, MA chose MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM as their Middle Grade Book Club selection for October 2019! And that's why I got to spend an afternoon with an incredible group of young readers and bakers! The kids, who ranged in age from 7 to 13, brought in homemade … [Read more...]

Tweens Read!!

I was so incredibly lucky to be a part of Tweens Read, an astounding book festival put on by Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, TX!! On Friday evening, I got to meet fellow authors in the lovely bookstore, enjoy some snacks, and add my signature to the wall of authors!! The next day, we gathered at … [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...]

McIntyre’s Books!

I met up with my awesome friend Gillian McDunn and another incredible author, Frances O'Roark Dowell, for a wonderful middle grade event on a rainy Sunday at McIntyre's Books in Pittsboro, NC! Before the panel, we were interviewed by a lovely tween blogger! The panel was full of great questions 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...]

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