Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
I savored every minute of this romp. I loved Mimi and her drive to be less invisible in her big family full of go-getters. The South Indian foods, well-defined in the glossary, added another layer of flavor to the story. The baking contest, reminiscent of The Great British Baking Show, was full of surprises, and the hints of magic and allusions to AMidsummer Night’s Dream were perfect. The included recipes are the icing on the cake.
Jen KraarCity of Asylum Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
Enchantment reigns, yet the author’s exploration of family, friendship, and self-esteem are firmly grounded in reality.
Publishers Weekly Review
Praise for The Secret Code Inside You
Dynamic and eye-catching . . . A solid introduction to a complex topic.
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Infused with science, 80’s music, and the struggles and joys of navigating middle school when you live in two different worlds, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is delightfully real and achingly beautiful. Reha’s story grabbed my heart from the first pages and never let go.
Kate MessnerAuthor of Breakout and Chirp
Praise for Midsummer’s Mayhem
Midsummer’s Mayhem is delightful confection of a family story full of heart, magic, and a baking championship with mysteriously high stakes! LaRocca takes Shakespeare’s almost throwaway reference from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and reclaims it, by centering a multiracial Indian-American family in her tale. Mimi’s pluck, gentle courage, and knack for combining flavors will capture reader’s hearts, imaginations, and undoubtedly, taste buds!
Sayantani DasGuptaauthor of the NYT-bestselling Kiranmala and The Kingdom Beyond series
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
Honeysuckle sweet with a pinch of mayhem and a fairy twist! You’ll only want to put this book down in order to eat an entire plate of cookies. Shakespeare and baking — it’s the book combo dreams are made of.
Liz RiceThe Book Cellar, Chicago, IL
Praise for Seven Golden Rings
[Seven Golden Rings] succeeds both as an entertaining read-aloud and as a teasing introduction to the binary system.
Booklist STARRED Review
Praise for Where Three Oceans Meet
A celebration of intergenerational, border-crossing love . . . A sweet picture book about forming family ties across oceans.
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
An intimate novel that beautifully confronts grief and loss.
Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Midsummer’s Mayhem
Taking its inspiration from one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Midsummer’s Mayhem is a sweet and fun story about mistaken identity, bumpy romance, and the everyday magic of baking.
Barbara Deeauthor of Star-Crossed and Maybe He Just Likes You
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
This novel in verse beautifully told exclusively from the point of view of a young girl named Reha coming of age in the midwest. Her relationships to her family, friends, and her Indian culture, to the sight of blood, and to her sense of belonging in two different worlds are constant themes, and come together poetically and crushingly in the end. I loved every page, and will be so excited to see Reha’s story on our shelves!
Paul Swydan, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton, MA
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
This delightful and delicious spin on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream flows beautifully into a sensitive and thoughtful novel that addresses family dynamics and self-confidence alongside mouth-watering descriptions of food. Readers will relate to Mimi’s attempts to stand out and find her place and will be thrilled by the magical baking.
School Library Journal Review
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
LaRocca’s historical novel in verse takes the reader through Reha’s past and present, flowing as seamlessly as the songs often referred to within the poems . . . readers, too, will be changed by her story.
Booklist STARRED Review
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
I felt this novel in verse in my bones. An important book, it will change how young readers see their world. And that’s the best kind of book to read at any age.
Jane YolenAuthor of The Devil's Arithmetic, Briar Rose, and Mapping the Bones
Praise for Much Ado About Baseball
In addition to the wonders of the game, readers will encounter magical delights like fairy dust, a Fountain of Youth, Books of Power and mildly poisonous snacks.
Linda Sue Park in the New York Times Book Review
Praise for Where Three Oceans Meet
The metaphor of the intertwining of cross-cultural and cross-generational similarities and differences is sustained from start to finish, offering points of connection for readers from all backgrounds.
Booklist
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
This was such a beautifully written and heartbreaking story. For kids experiencing or who have experienced a parent who has suffered from cancer, or ever felt torn between two places. A novel of family, friendship, and grief. Set in the 1980’s which is a perfect time to set a story like this one.
Lauren Nopenz Fairley, Curious Iguana, Frederick, Maryland
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Red, White, and Whole is the lyrical and poignant journey of a first generation Indian American girl growing up in the eighties. LaRocca weaves together a beautiful mix of themes– identity, belonging, love, devastating loss, and eighties pop music rendered in seamless verse. A book I wish I had growing up in the eighties!
Veera HiranandaniAuthor of Newbery Honor The Night Diary
Praise for Much Ado About BaseballIt’s no mystery why Rajani LaRocca’s Much Ado About Baseball is a home run. Like the smell of freshly cut infield grass, this fast-paced story of friendship, fitting in, and finding yourself is filled with magic and math. It pops with baseball excitement and summer days full of possibilities.
David A. Kelly, Author of the Ballpark Mysteries series
Praise for Much Ado About Baseball
This ambitious, layered story pulls together sports, Shakespeare, and mathematics while conveying a sweet, accessible message of the value of friendship and forgiveness.
School Library Journal