Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Truly, one of the most heart-expanding stories ever, filled with kindness, music, mythology, all of those things. But above all, here is a story of love, and the ways in which it transcends nationalities, age, science, and fear. In LaRocca’s gifted hands, her Reha shows us how to live in the world, even when it feels divided, even then.
Kathi AppeltNational Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor-winning author of The Underneath and Keeper
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 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 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 Red, White, and Whole
An intimate novel that beautifully confronts grief and loss.
Kirkus Reviews
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 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 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
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 Red, White, and Whole
Rajani LaRocca’s follow up to MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is a deeply moving #OwnVoices middle-grade verse novel, set in 1983, about a 13-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants. Torn between two worlds, Reha struggles to be both Indian and American, as she navigates through middle school, first love, and grief and loss when tragedy strikes. Full of relatable characters and situations, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE’s message to stay resilient, hopeful, and loving is necessary and timely.
Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, Massachusetts
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
The list you could write of all the ways this book beautifully addresses a young girl who is trapped between being from a country she no longer lives in and living in a country she doesn’t quite feel she belongs may almost end up longer than this book. The layers of metaphor, stories, and a young girl you cannot help but love and cheer for; this book is something special.
Nichole Cousins, PBW dba Yankee Bookshop, Woodstock, Vermont
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
An entertaining and epicurean retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. . . . Strikes a perfect balance between the pleasant and the melancholy, as sweet and savory as one of Mimi’s confections.
Shelf Awareness
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
What a fun, delicious read! Mimi bakes scrumptious goodies to express her heart, but is she good enough to win the While Away baking prize and an opportunity to work with her favorite chef? And can she figure out why her family is acting so strangely?
Joan TryggRed Balloon Bookshop, Minneapolis, MN
Praise for Red, White, and Whole
Rajani LaRocca’s RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE explores the difficulties and joys experienced by immigrants through the eyes of Reha. Reha is of two worlds, her parents are from India but she was born in the US, and she often finds herself torn between the two. She has two best friends, one she sees during the week at school and one she sees on weekends when she spends time with other Indian families, and feels like she lives two different lives. When her mother gets a scary medical diagnosis Reha decid… Read more
Faith Parke-Dodge, Page 158 Books, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
The realistic characters and complex family dynamics augment the tightly knit plot, and the mouthwatering descriptions of food are guaranteed to make readers hungry. . .A delectable treat for food and literary connoisseurs alike.
Kirkus, Starred Review
Praise for Much Ado About Baseball
A Much Ado About Nothing homage that explores parental expectations, complicated friendships, and teamwork. A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem.
Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review
Praise for Midsummer's Mayhem
Midsummer’s Mayhem has all the ingredients for a delightful read: developed characters, delectable dessert descriptions, and a dash of magic. Toss with Shakespeare and sprinkle in realistic family conflicts, and LaRocca has created a poignant story of friendship that will warm the hearts of readers.
Erin Dionneauthor of The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet and Secrets of a Fangirl
Praise for Bracelets for Bina's Brothers
The vibrant colors and perky tone of this culturally specific yet universally appealing book make for a fun read-aloud with a bit of a math lesson sneaked in.
Booklist 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 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